Ron Johnson Records

Ron Johnson Records was a UK independent record label based in Long Eaton operating between 1983 and 1988. The label contributed five tracks to the NME's C86 compilation. Run by Dave Parsons, the label released records by artists such as Big Flame, Shrubs, A Witness, Great Leap Forward, Stump, Mackenzies, Twang and Ex. Despite the press attention and critical acclaim for the label's bands and releases, sales were insufficient to make the label profitable and financial difficulties brought it to an end in 1988.

(Read more at Wikipedia.)

Links To Peel
Peel was a huge supporter of the tiny Nottingham label run through the mid-1980s by Dave Parsons, who was also working shifts in a local biscuit factory. The label was often linked to the “shambling” indie sub-genre named by the DJ. Ten of the 12 bands released by Ron Johnson Records had sessions for the Peel show, with the only exceptions being the Sewer Zombies and Parsons’ own band, Splat!, whose debut release was the first on the label and received airtime from the DJ.

In a personal celebration of Peel for the Louder Than War website in 2011, Parsons recalled meeting the DJ on many occasions, with the two sharing the same birthday (although born in different years), Peel returning his fee for Ron Johnson tour gigs, travelling together to Germany, visiting Peel Acres, and especially the “solid concrete impact” of the DJ’s championing of his label:

"“Without his support, those six or so years of indie industriousness would never have been the same, or, possibly/probably, even possible.”"

Sessions
Bands released by Ron Johnson Records who recorded sessions for Peel, including when bands were on other labels.


 * A Witness: (4 sessions, 1986-88)
 * Big Flame: (4 sessions, 1984-86)
 * Ex: (3 sessions, 1983-86)
 * Great Leap Forward: (2 sessions, 1987-88)
 * Jackdaw With Crowbar: (2 sessions, 1987)
 * Mackenzies: (2 sessions, 1986)
 * Noseflutes: (4 sessions, 1985-89)
 * Shrubs: (2 sessions, 1986-87)
 * Stump: (4 sessions, 1986-88)
 * Twang: (3 sessions, 1986-88)

Festive Fifty

 * No entries in the annual top 50 selected by Peel listeners, although Big Flame placed #58 with “All The Irish (Must Go To Heaven)” on Ron Johnson in the extended 1985 Festive Fifty put together by Peel.

Compilations
Plays by Peel of various artists (v/a) releases on Ron Johnson Records. Please add more information if known.

(v/a LP - The First After Epiphany) Ron Johnson
 * 29 April 1987: Jackdaw With Crowbar: Crow

Links

 * Wikipedia.
 * ron johnson records – an appreciation (fan site)