Radex was a recording studio and record label owned and operated by Dexter Witt in Freeport, Illinois from 1953 until at least the 1980’s. The operation started in Witt’s apartment but eventually moved to the 3rd floor of the Cheeseman building (now the Lincoln-Douglas Center) at 10 N. Galena Ave in downtown Freeport. When asked about the name Radex, Witt said it came from the first syllables of "radio" and "Dexter."
The label's first commercial release. an LP by the Embury Methodist Church choir, came out in 1957. In a 1969 article in the Freeport Journal-Standard, “Witt estimates he makes approximately 10,000 records yearly under the Radex label from 40 to 50 masters. Small quantity processing is done in the Freeport studio and large orders are final-pressed by RCA Victor. Tapes brought in by individuals are put on the ‘Realm’ record label.” The article added that Radex’s biggest rock and roll album was made by the Nomadds in 1965 which sold 1,000 copies.
By 1977, the studio had relocated to 217 W. Stephenson in Freeport. Witt also sold and repaired stereo equipment at the location. In 1980, Witt relocated the studio to 802 S. Chicago Ave in Freeport. An article in the Sunday Register Star (Rockford) describes the new studio as “an ultra-modern recording studio in the firm’s fourth location, in the back of a stereo and electronics store Witt owns.” Musician Dan Peterson was listed as the studio’s manager at the time. The article mentions that “Radex can either record cassette tapes in the studio or cut a master record and arrange for stamping album copies elsewhere.”
It is not clear when the recording business stopped or if it ever did. Witt continued on with the Radex Stereo business, with the final location being 890 W. Galena Ave in Freeport. Witt passed away in January 2023 at the age of 96.
45s
CAT #
ARTIST
TITLE
DATE
R 65101
Marty Taylor
Only Yesterday / You On My Mind
1965
R 65121
Dave And The Squires
The Girl Of My Dreams / Ferry Cross The Mersy
1965
W 6641
Clark And The Westerners
You Don't Love Me Anymore / I Still Got My Soul
1966
R 6641
Marty Taylor
For You / The Girl I Love
1966
TF 68301
The Frost
Behind The Closed Doors Of Her Mind / Cool Jerk
1968
SM 6904
Shades Of Muroc
Give Me Some Lovin' / Green, Green Grass Of Home
1969
RTF 70121
The Fugatives
Green River / Last Thing On My Mind
1970
DSS 7106
Danny Schreck
A Day Will Come / Let It Be
1971
SLR 7108
Larry Rossi
You Taught Me To Climb A Tree / The Ballad Of Rocky's Kid
1971
SBRL 7201
Billye Raye Lankford And Larry Bull
Here Today - Gone Tomorrow / They Gave Me Away
1972
SDW 7202
Denny & The Westerners
A Little Bit Of Country / Let's Live For This Day
1972
SMCS 7207
St. Martin's Missionary Baptist Church Youth Choir
Have A Little Talk With Jesus / Til' I Met The Lord
1972
SDM 7209
Doug McQuay And The Country Acid
After Hours / House Of Blue Tear Drops
1972
AMUC 72091
Untamed Country
Folsom Prison / Easy Lovin'
1972
AMUC 72092
Untamed Country
Cab Driver / Yackaty Sax
1972
AMUC 72093
Untamed Country
Help Me Make It Through The Night / Sweet Inspiration
1972
SSF 7301
The Spiritual Five
He's All I Need / He's Comin' Back
1973
SSJC 7305
St. James C.M.E. Church Combined Choirs
We've Come This Far By Faith / Without God I Canoot Do Nothing
1973
SDO 7305
Don Bowers And The Outlaws
Child Of Friday / Bad Seed
1973
SCC 7308
Larry Cavanaugh & The Country Circle
Yellow Bus / Love Her
1973
STM 7403
The Misfits
I Believe In Music / House Of The Rising Sun
1974
SJS 7501
James Stinson
Thief On The Run / Keep On
1975
SCS 7508
Mike Sawvell (Southern Comfort)
Woman Leave Me Alone / She Turns To Me
1975
SGA 7510
Greg Anderson And His Orchestra
Waltzing With You / Copper Rings
1975
SST 7709
Tennessee Tailspin
She's An All American Woman / To Be Back In Your Arms Again
1977
SMB 7711
Mike Breese
Trucker's Heaven / Carter's Farm
1977
SLG 7806
Misty Lee And The Nashville Sounds
Help Me Make It Through The Night / Today I Started Loving You Again
1978
SKG 7806
Karl B. Goebel And His Town N' Country Boys
I Won't See You Tonight / By, By, Baby Good-By
1978
MLS 7905
Misty Lee
You're The Reason / I'm Not Lisa
1979
SH 8006
The Spiritual Harmonizers
God's Love / Stepped Into My Life
1980
TR 8006
Teazer
Mary Lou's Letter / Misery
1980
ST 8007
Tour
One Of The Bad Guys / Can't Take Your Love
1980
MA 8008
Monty "Cole" Atterbury
Clothes Behind The Door/The Bottle
1980
TR 8008
The Rhyme
My Biggest Problem / Makes Me Feel So Fine
1980
GD 8108
Country Line
Some Day Soon / Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground
1981
TJ 8302
The Jets
Detroit / September
1983
TI 8305
The Inspirations
Turn America Around / I'm Gonna Love You
1983
JN 8309
T.J. And The Jackson Nears
He's All Right / Cross That Separation Line
1983
This discography is a work in progress. Last updated on 12/4/23
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