Argo Records was started in December of 1955 to accommodate some of the rapidly growing recording activity at Chess Records. Originally the label was called Marterry, but bandleader Ralph Marterie objected, and within a couple of months the imprint was renamed Argo. Argo become well known for its jazz offerings and jazz performers affiliated with the label included Ahmad Jamal, James Moody, King Fleming, Sonny Stitt and the Ramsey Lewis Trio.
Argo offered a variety of music, including pop, blues, and even calypso. Argo's first big hit was by New Orleans performer Clarence "Frogman" Henry, whose classic "Ain't Got No Home" came out in 1956. By 1960, major rhythm and blues performers on the label included Etta James and The Dells.
Argo changed its name in 1965 to Cadet Records when the company discovered that an Argo Records already existed in the UK. (See the Cadet article for a list of some of the Argo/Cadet recording artists.)
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