Rare Rockin' Records started out as a passion and as a hobby.  Founder and CEO Ash Wells Was born with music in his soul. Both his parents were absorbed in the 50’s and 60’s and many believe that when Ash entered the world there was loud music playing. It’s no secret Ash’s Biggest Influences in music are from his Mum and Dad, But It wasn’t until Ash reached his early teens that He started to really fall in love with 50’s and 60’s Pop and Rock and Roll. By the Age of 16, Already loving the music, He befriended a legendary Dj and collector, Ian “The Bopper” Nash from Sydney. The Bopper had a weekly Radio Show every Saturday night from 6 pm, and he specialised in playing the “uncommon” oldie. One night Ash heard some real rare gems and fell in love and it was that moment that the real collector in Ash was born and before long piles of 45’s were turning up at the door.

Ash even had to forgo a University degree because he needed to earn money to pay for his vinyl records. So every few weeks The Bopper together with Mum and Dad would get together and audition new records and music collected and the nights were always memorable, but the headaches were present the next day, always.  One night,late in 1999/2000 after Ash and The Bopper had often collaborated with others, Bopper had suggested that Ash start his own label and have his own take on oldies reissues and really this is where Rare Rockin’ Records was born. So Together with Mum and Dad and possibly moreso The Bopper, they had created a monster.

The Aim was simple – To produce cd’s of rare Teen Pop, Girl Groups, Doo Wop and Belgium Popcorn, all rarities of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Ash has been lucky in that as well as having a knack for finding obscure oldies records he has a vast network of great friends he has met over the years from the USA and Europe. So with this firepower Ash and his colleagues were able to source some of the best and rarest tracks for his reissues. In respecting his friends privacy, we won’t name them, but they know who they are and they will always hold a special place in his heart for the friendships made and the music shared.

Before long a first Issue, Hideaway Heaven Volume 1 was pressed in 2000. This was just the start and from this point at least 3 or 4 different cd’s were pressed each year. Of course this was only as a Hobby Business as his love for the music was the most Important thing. As many would notice being that It was a hobby business you can see the growth in each release as better quality vinyl and knowledge was gained over the years.

Soon after Ash started a Internet Radio Show and was lucky to entrust the services of ‘The Bopper” who had years earlier retired from His own radio show and together with Ash’s Mum, BRING BACK YESTERDAY was born. The Show enjoyed a run of a few years and a total of 110 Shows until Ash decided to Marry his sweetheart Sarah and suddenly there was no time to fit the radio show in his busy schedule.

In Late December 2008, Ash’s world fell down when his beloved Mother, Lynne ( AKA as the Kewpie Doll from the Bring Back Yesterday radio show) Passed away suddenly from Acute Leukaemia. She was his world and his Inspiration, the matriarch of the family and of Rare Rockin’ Records BUT to his credit, he knew that his Mum would have wanted him to continue on loving the music. Not long after Ash was made redundant at his day job and this was a further blow to him, still reeling from his Mum’s passing, But this was the catalyst for what we now have and that is Ash Decided to Pursue his Musical Dream full time and plough his energies into making Rare Rockin’ Records a top shelf label for obscure oldies. He was sure His Mum would be looking down on him proudly.  Now was the time to make this happen and bring professional reissues to the world market.

So This Is where we currently stand.

NOW, Rare Rockin’ Records has gone to a whole new level with a stronger emphasis on more Commercial releases with very detailed booklets and info but still maintaining that oldies feel. We recently have gone through a total rebranding of our Image and logo as well as our brand new website launched in July 2009 and this rebranding is resulting in classier releases then ever before as well as more user interaction including being able to communicate with us on facebook and twitter.

Rare Rockin’ Records is also proud to have Robbie Indart on board as Our US Correspondent and Business Affairs Director. Robbie Shares the passion for the 50’s and 60’s Music and together with Label Founder and CEO Ash Wells they aim to bring you the oldies lover and collector the best sounds and rarities of the 50’s and 60’s.  Mike Edwards is a legendary Pop Music Historian and Collector and provides us with the best liner notes as well as acting as an Executive Producer for Rare Rockin’ Records.

We want to bring the oldies back to the future and continue the legacy left by the original baby boomers and those who lived and loved the music in the 50’s and 60’s. Let’s not forget Ash’s Dad, who’s always been there lovingly in the background whilst His Mum and the Bopper shared the limelight. Dad (AKA Marvellous Marty) is a Executive producer and Packaging Co-ordinator for Rare Rockin’ Records and is always dedicated an a loyal friend and father to Ash.  Ash Dedicates Rare Rockin’ Records to his beloved Mum and hopes to keep the dream alive for years to come.

Andilon

We are also proud to announce an exclusive partnership With Andilon Lensen who has undertaken our Distribution arm of Rare Rockin’ Records. Our Distribution arm is called IRGOD – International Golden Oldies Distribution and as well as working exclusively on Rare Rockin’ Records Releases we are also looking at expanding and Hope to be able to help other Independent labels looking to promote and distribute their Oldies titles to the Worldwide market.

Andilon Started at young age, around eight years old collecting records especially Elvis and many other Rock N Roll artists, Country, Blues, Rockabilly and the label Sun & Philips International and other obscure labels - recordings etc etc

Andilon Became a life-long Fan of “Elvis Presley” and “Timi Yuro” and started writing songs at young age. Writing music was never a problem, but writing lyrics was something else and It was “Timi Yuro” who Andilon became close friends with and worked with 24/7 in the 80’s in Europe and this is where Andylon learned all the skills and tricks how to write great lyrics.

Andilon Was invited to represent the Dutch Song Festival and also to represent The Netherlands for the International Song Festival in Bratislava in 1986 where Andilon's artist “Michelle” and the song Andilon wrote "Looking Through the Window" was announced in Bratislava as the most promising artist and song of all 21 Eastern and Western countries.

Andilon Started a publishing company – recording many songs written, Arranged and produced by Andilon -  Sometimes written in collaboration with other composers, lyricists and artists and producers.

Andilon also currently runs a very successful Elvis website-shop & of other related Rock N Roll  artists and music from the 50's 60's, specializing in vinyl, books, Dvd's Cd's etc etc, not to mention a fantastic website dedicated to the late and great “Timi Yuro” where you can find out pretty much everything about “Timi Yuro’s” recordings including many rarities never before Issued.

Rare Rockin’ Records is very excited and proud to Have Andilon on board, running the distribution arm of Rare Rockin’ Records – IRGOD – International Rare Golden Oldies Distribution where Andilon’s experience and passion for oldies music will continue to take Rare Rockin’ Records and IRGOD to a new level of Oldies Distribution.