One of the record labels of the Tony Pike Organisation. Tony Pike's studios were based in Putney, SW 15. From the mid 1960s until at least 1973 they were responsible for a series of custom recordings, which came out on the Tony Pike Music Ltd label (q.v.) or with a credit to Tony Pike Music. From 1967 to 1971, however, there was a proper label, Tepee, which actually issued records. It released nine singles, the last two of which were from 1970. According to 'Record Retailer' of the 12th of February 1968 the first single, by The Guys, was due out on the 9th of that month, with distribution by members of the BIRD group - H.R. Taylor, Keith Prowse, Lugton and Clyde Factors - along with Symphonola for Northern Ireland. In November 1968 Pye took over distribution; 'RR' of the 13th reported that TPR SP-1003 was to be the first single released under the new deal. According to the entry on 45cat the single had been reviewed in 'Record Mirror' of the 2nd of November, so it may be that some copies went onto the market before the Pye deal was signed. Pye also seems to have taken over manufacture: demo copies began to appear, and they were in the usual yellow-and-black Pye style (3, 4). At least one of the earlier records had been pressed by Orlake. 'RR' of the 5th of March 1969 said that Michael Weston was the 'label boss' and that he was also a director of Mencap International (q.v.); the charity and the company worked together to put out a Various Artists EP on the Little Stephen label in that year.
The first Tepee single, by The Guys, had an orange label, but it turned yellow for the second and third singles (1). A further change, to light blue, had taken place by the time TPR-1007 came out (2); it may have happened with the move to Pye, as the blue was the same colour as that which Pye used for its own labels. Numbering initially was in the TPR SP-1000s but the 'SP' was dropped with the fourth release, presumably at the point where Pye started doing both pressing and distribution. Around 1971 Tepee linked up with Ad-Rhythm Records (q.v.) and issued a short series of Folk albums, including two by Alex Campbell ('This is...' Vol. 1 & 2) and two by the duo of Tim Hart & Maddy Prior ('Folk Songs Of Old England' Vol. 1 & 2). Ill health appears to have forced Tony Pike to curtail his interest in the music business: an advert in 'Billboard' of the 10th of November 1972 said that his Putney house and studio were for sale, together with his publishing catalogue and catalogue of master tapes. The sale seems to have taken a while to complete: according to 'Music Week' of the 11th of March 1978 the house and studio were still available, as was the company's catalogue. By that time the Tony Pike Music Ltd company had been dissolved, as was reported in the 'London Gazette' of the 28th of November 1975. The 'MW' article added that Tepee was the first independent label to get nationwide distribution, so it made history in at least one way. Tepee's singles are generally collectable nowadays; Pye-era demos seem to be more common than issues, but even they turn up very rarely. See also 'Anglo'.
Copyright 2013 Robert Lyons.