nav dotHomenav dotSite Mapnav dotEmail Us
Sonobeat Recording Company
Overview

Sonobeat Recording Company (Sonobeat Records and Sonosong Music) was formed in Austin, Texas, by Bill Josey Sr. and Bill Josey Jr.

Sonobeat is considered by many to be an integral seed of the Austin music scene. From 1967 to 1976, the small Central Texas label's prodigious output introduced Johnny Winter, Eric Johnson, Rusty Wier, and dozens of luminary Texas musicians to the world.

Sonobeat.com offers an objective history and anecdotes of Sonobeat and the artists who helped create and shape the Austin music scene.

History blue arrow
Artists blue arrow
Discography blue arrow
Special Features blue arrow
Contact Us blue arrow
Looking for a particular group or solo artist who recorded with Sonobeat? Check the alphabetical listing.
Artists A to Z >

 
How much do you know about Sonobeat's history? Take our trivia quiz today.
Sonobeat Trivia >

 
Learn how a low-power FM radio station in Austin, Texas, helped launch Sonobeat.
KAZZ Connection >

 
Elevators lose original bassist Benny Thurman on June 22, 2008.
13th Floor Elevators >
Welcome

Sonobeat.com offers insights into how Sonobeat was formed, grew, and operated. But more than that, Sonobeat.com's exclusive access to the Sonobeat archives -- including master audio tapes, photographs, and documents long thought lost -- provides a unique retrospective into the diverse and dynamic Central Texas music scene from the mid '60s to the mid '70s, as Austin emerged to become the live music capital of the world. The Sonobeat story is really about hundreds of talented musicians who have made musical history in Austin.

Sonobeat.com is divided into history, artists, discography, and special features sections. The history, artists, and discography sections are presented in chronological order. Whether you're newly initiated into Austin's rich musical heritage or were part of its '60s and '70s music scene, Sonobeat.com offers surprises, delights, and more than 100 rare sound bites sprinkled throughout.

Featured Artist

Plymouth Rock

The only group to release a monaural single on the otherwise all-stereo Sonobeat label, Plymouth Rock was one of Austin's great rock bands of the late '60s. The group recorded Sonobeat's 16th single release, Memorandum backed with Just a Start, and was among the two or three artists Sonobeat recorded in a church auditorium.

Plymouth Rock single

Read more >


What's New

July 1, 2008 -- Sound bites from the late singer/songwriter Bill Wilson plus a montage of the KAZZ-FM jingles from the '60s

July 4, 2008 -- New Plymouth Rock sound bites

Remembering Bill Josey Sr.

Bill JoseySonobeat co-founder Bill Josey Sr. passed away in 1976. We look back at his life and contributions to the Central Texas music scene.

Read more >

Featured Artist

"New" oldies every Tuesday and, this week, on Friday!

We're cracking open the Sonobeat vaults to bring you new sound bites from artists Sonobeat recorded in the '60s and '70s.

©2004-2008 Sonobeat Historical Archives      Privacy Notice