Soma Records (U.S. label)

For the Scottish techno label, see Soma Quality Recordings.

Soma Records was an American record label, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and owned by wholesale record distributor Amos Heilicher. The Soma name was "Amos" spelled backwards. Heilicher, along with his brother Danny, was also in the jukebox and wholesale record distribution businesses, and owned the Musicland chain of retail music stores.

History

Started in 1954, Soma began mainly recording polka music, old-time country and western, and jazz groups. Its first hit was Bobby Vee's 1959 "Suzie Baby", which was a regional smash before Liberty Records bought the master and issued it nationally.

Among the hits released by Soma were "Mule Skinner Blues" by The Fendermen (purchased from Wisconsin's Cuca label), "Liar, Liar" by The Castaways, "Run, Run, Run" by The Gestures and "Surfin' Bird" by The Trashmen. The last record was distributed by Soma, but recorded on the Garrett Records label - George Garrett was an engineer behind the mixing console at Kay Bank Studios on many Soma recordings. Heilicher had some ownership in the Kay Bank Studios, where most of Soma's recordings were made. Soma recorded many local and regional rock groups during the 1960s at Kay Bank Studios, including The Accents, Gregory Dee and The Avanties, The Underbeats, and The Del Counts, as well as distributing other smaller labels (such as Garrett, Bangar, Golden Ring and Studio City). Country singer Dave Dudley's first album, containing his biggest hit "Six Days on the Road", was released on Golden Ring Records in 1963, and distributed by Soma until Mercury Records bought the rights.

Soma continued releasing recordings until 1967, when the co-owned record distributing company was merged into Pickwick Records. The Heilicher brothers exited the recorded music business in 1977.

Amos Heilicher died of pneumonia in August 2011, aged 90.

External links

• Kay Bank logo
• 1962 Soma LP