Radex Recording Studios [Freeport]

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 #ARTISTTITLEDATE
R 65101Marty TaylorOnly Yesterday / You On My Mind1965
R 65121Dave And The SquiresThe Girl Of My Dreams / Ferry Cross The Mersy1965
W 6641Clark And The WesternersYou Don't Love Me Anymore / I Still Got My Soul1966
R 6641Marty TaylorFor You / The Girl I Love1966
TF 68301The FrostBehind The Closed Doors Of Her Mind / Cool Jerk1968
SM 6904Shades Of MurocGive Me Some Lovin' / Green, Green Grass Of Home1969
RTF 70121The FugativesGreen River / Last Thing On My Mind1970
DSS 7106Danny SchreckA Day Will Come / Let It Be1971
SLR 7108Larry RossiYou Taught Me To Climb A Tree / The Ballad Of Rocky's Kid1971
SBRL 7201Billye Raye Lankford And Larry BullHere Today - Gone Tomorrow / They Gave Me Away1972
SDW 7202Denny & The WesternersA Little Bit Of Country / Let's Live For This Day1972
SMCS 7207St. Martin's Missionary Baptist Church Youth ChoirHave A Little Talk With Jesus / Til' I Met The Lord1972
SDM 7209Doug McQuay And The Country AcidAfter Hours / House Of Blue Tear Drops1972
AMUC 72091Untamed CountryFolsom Prison / Easy Lovin'1972
AMUC 72092Untamed CountryCab Driver / Yackaty Sax1972
AMUC 72093Untamed CountryHelp Me Make It Through The Night / Sweet Inspiration1972
SSF 7301The Spiritual FiveHe's All I Need / He's Comin' Back1973
SSJC 7305St. James C.M.E. Church Combined ChoirsWe've Come This Far By Faith / Without God I Canoot Do Nothing1973
SDO 7305Don Bowers And The OutlawsChild Of Friday / Bad Seed1973
SCC 7308Larry Cavanaugh & The Country CircleYellow Bus / Love Her1973
STM 7403The MisfitsI Believe In Music / House Of The Rising Sun1974
SJS 7501James StinsonThief On The Run / Keep On1975
SCS 7508Mike Sawvell (Southern Comfort)Woman Leave Me Alone / She Turns To Me1975
SGA 7510Greg Anderson And His OrchestraWaltzing With You / Copper Rings1975
SST 7709Tennessee TailspinShe's An All American Woman / To Be Back In Your Arms Again1977
SMB 7711Mike BreeseTrucker's Heaven / Carter's Farm1977
SLG 7806Misty Lee And The Nashville SoundsHelp Me Make It Through The Night / Today I Started Loving You Again1978
SKG 7806Karl B. Goebel And His Town N' Country BoysI Won't See You Tonight / By, By, Baby Good-By1978
MLS 7905Misty LeeYou're The Reason / I'm Not Lisa1979
SH 8006The Spiritual HarmonizersGod's Love / Stepped Into My Life1980
TR 8006TeazerMary Lou's Letter / Misery1980
ST 8007TourOne Of The Bad Guys / Can't Take Your Love1980
MA 8008Monty "Cole" AtterburyClothes Behind The Door/The Bottle1980
TR 8008The RhymeMy Biggest Problem / Makes Me Feel So Fine1980
GD 8108Country LineSome Day Soon / Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground1981
TJ 8302The JetsDetroit / September1983
TI 8305The InspirationsTurn America Around / I'm Gonna Love You1983
JN 8309T.J. And The Jackson NearsHe's All Right / Cross That Separation Line1983
This discography is a work in progress. Last updated on 12/4/23

LPs

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2 comments:

  1. JUST GOT A COPY OF YOUR ENTRY FROM 198O , THE BAND " TOUR " AND IT'S SIGNED BY ALL THREE OF THE SONGWRITERS , HAVE TO ASSUME IT'S THE ENTIRE GROUP -- ANYBODY HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THEM ...... LOVE TO KNOW ANYTHING ..... THANKS

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