RECORDS
The record label of the Tony Pike Organisation. Tony Pike's 'Tepee' studios were based in Putney, SW 15. From the early 1960s until at least 1972 they were responsible for a series of custom recordings numbered in the TPM-1000, EPs having an 'EP' after the 'TPM' early records had 'TONY PIKE MUSIC LTD.' across the top in red on a white label with black printing, while on later ones the words had shrunk drastically and migrated to the bottom of the label. From 1967-c.72, however, there was a proper Tepee label which actually issued records. It released nine singles, the last two of which were from 1970. On the 12th of February 1968 the first single, by The Guys, was due out on the 9th Feb of that month, with distribution by members of the BIRD group - H.R. Taylor, Keith Prowse, Lugton and Clyde Factors - along with Symphonola for Northern Ireland. In November 1968 Pye took over distribution. TPR SP-1003 was to be the first single released under the new deal. Pye also seems to have taken over manufacture: demo copies began to appear, and they were in the usual yellow-and-black Pye style. At least one of the earlier records had been pressed by Orlake. Michael Weston was the 'label boss' and that he was also a director of Mencap International the charity and the company worked together to put out a Various Artists EP on the Little Stephen label in that year. The first Tepee single, by The Guys, had an orange label, but it turned yellow for the second and third singles. A further change, to light blue, had taken place by the time TPR-1007 came out; it may have happened with the move to Pye, as the blue was the same colour as that which Pye used for its own labels. Numbering initially was in the TPR SP-1000s but the 'SP' was dropped with the fourth release, presumably at the point where Pye started doing both pressing and distribution. Around 1971 Tepee linked up with Ad-Rhythm Records and issued a short series of Folk albums, including two by Alex Campbell ('This is...' Vol. 1 & 2) and two by the duo of Tim Hart & Maddy Prior ('Folk Songs Of Old England' Vol. 1 & 2). Tepee's final mention in the music press came in 'Music Week' of the 11th of March 1978, which stated that Tony Pike's house and studio were for sale, as was the company's catalogue. Tepee was the first independent label to get nationwide distribution, so it made history in at least one way. Tepee's singles are generally collectable nowadays; Pye-era demos seem to be more common than issues, but even they turn up very rarely.
| 69 | Guys | You Go Your Way | TEPEE | TPR | 1001 |
| 69 | Harry Stoneham Sound | Apples And Pears | TEPEE | TPR SP | 1002 |
| 69 | Gilded Cage | Long Long Road | TEPEE | TPR | 1003 |
| 69 | Travis Dave | Button Nose | TEPEE | TPR | 1004 |
| 69 | Bennett Val | All In The Game | TEPEE | TPR | 1005 |
| 69 | Weston Mark & Two Part Tariff | Standing At The Bus Stop | TEPEE | TPR | 1006 |
| 69 | Khan Shere | Little Louise | TEPEE | TPR | 1007 |
| 69 | Kenny Spencer | Beginning Of The Road | TEPEE | TPR | 1008 |
| 69 | Various Artists | A Constellation Of Stars | TEPEE | LS | 1 |
