The beginning of the Austin music scene
An integral seed of the Austin music scene from 1967 to 1976, Sonobeat’s prodigious output introduced Johnny Winter, Eric Johnson, Rusty Wier, James Polk, and dozens of luminary Texas musicians to the world.
We were there at the beginning...
Austin, Texas. State capital. The University of Texas. Lake Austin, City Park, Zilker Park, Barton Springs, Deep Eddy, Lake Travis, Hippie Hollow. Rock ’n’ roll radio (KNOW-AM & KAZZ-FM). Country radio (KVET-AM & KOKE-AM). Hot frat parties and cool night clubs. Live bands all over town.
Legendary Austin hot spots: Club Saracen, Swingers a Go-Go, Jade Room, IL Club, The Afro, Chequered Flag, 11th Door, New Orleans Club, Broken Spoke, Continental Club, Club Seville, Victory Grill, The Vulcan Gas Company, Armadillo World Headquarters.
Legendary Austin musicians: The Fabulous Chevelles, The Wig, Baby Cakes, Leo and the Prophets, Jerry Jeff Walker, Janis Joplin, Sweetarts, Georgetown Medical Band, Ernie Mae Miller, James Polk, 13th Floor Elevators, Lavender Hill Express, Johnny Winter, The Conqueroo, Shiva’s Headband, New Atlantis, Willie Nelson, and more... Happenin’ sounds.
Sonobeat was there at the beginning of the Austin music scene.
In the Spotlight
Base
In 1972, Sonobeat organized a studio band consisting of some of the best rock musicians in Austin, Texas. The purpose of the band, that Sonobeat co-founder Bill Josey Sr. called Base, was to make quadraphonic recordings for a then-promising but ultimately failed surround-sound audio technology. One of Sonobeat’s first quad recordings with the group was an instrumental track featuring three bass guitars, in part the inspiration for the band’s name.
Who’s Who
Over the course of its nine active years, Sonobeat recorded more than 70 acts – bands, combos, duets, and solos – comprised of 212 known individuals. Who’s Who catalogs all the acts and individuals we’ve identified through the Sonobeat archives, internet research, and help from Sonobeat family and friends. Even you may be listed!
Explore our history
Sonobeat Records was founded in Austin, Texas, in May 1967 and operated in Central Texas until September 1976, releasing two dozen stereo 45 RPM singles and half-a-dozen albums recorded by Austin, Central Texas, and international singers, songwriters, and musicians. Journey back in time with a scrolling list of Sonobeat’s 1960s and ’70s milestones or dive right into Sonobeat’s year-by-year story.
