It was a common practice for some DJ's in the 1950s and early 60s to scratch out, or cover up in some way, the credits on a record label, so that rival Sound Systems could not find out the title or artist on a given tune. The custom originated in Jamaica in the 1950s where the Sound Systems would play imported R&B 78s from the USA, and in some cases like the famous Later For Gator, the record could be crucial to keeping a Sound System 'pon top', Later For Gator, was known as 'Coxsone Hop' for several years because it was 'Sir Coxsone The Down Beat's' popular theme tune at dances, and nobody could find out the real title. By the late sixties the practice had become something of an aesthetic in and around the London clubs and dances as the DJ's were starting to occupy there own private booths away from the public, although the custom was carried on with some relevance on the Northen Soul scene.
RETURN TO THE ROCK STEADY PAGE