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
The David Flack Quorum
Beginning in 1970, Sonobeat recorded The David Flack Quorum in sessions spanning three years – David Flack’s military service disrupted the sessions – that produced the album Mindbender, a jazz-rock-classical fusion performed and presented as a cohesive musical sculpture. For financial reasons, the album’s release was delayed until 1976, after the Quorum had broken up.
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.
