Specializing in R&B, soul, and gospel music, in 1961, Skippy White opened his first record store in Boston. Along with his radio show on WILD-AM, they served as a resource and beacon for R&B and soul until 2019, when his last store closed.
On October 28, Yep Roc Records will release The Skippy White Story: Boston Soul 1961-1967, a 15-track compilation that pays tribute to the soul music of Boston and the legendary record store owner, turned label owner, and curator who captured the music on tape. Today, the first single, “Treason” by The Precisions, is available; listen here.
For decades, fans and musicians from the Boston area and beyond would come to Skippy’s store for the best and latest in R&B, soul, and gospel music. In addition to the stores, Skippy’s radio show began recording music by local Boston artists to capture the music by these great musicians.
An avid record collector, the set was curated and produced by Eli Paperboy Reed. Culled from obscure R&B, soul, and gospel 45s from the early 1960s, many of these recordings are from Eli’s private collection of 45s and acetates and features extensive liner notes by Peter Guralnick, Peter Wolf, Eli Paperboy Reed, and co-producer Noah Schaffer.
“Producing and curating this collection of rare and unreleased Boston soul recordings, originally captured on tape by legendary record store/label owner Skippy White, has been a labor of love for me,” says Eli Paperboy Reed. “All of the music presented here comes directly from my collection of 45s and acetates. Peter Guralnick, Peter Wolf, and Noah Schaffer and I all came together to contribute extensive liner notes that help tell the enduring story of this music, of Skippy White and of Black American music in Boston. Incredible audio restoration by Kevin Blackler brings these songs to life in a way I never imagined possible. I hope you enjoy this compilation as much as I enjoyed putting it together for you.”