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Founded by Raymond Samora in 1958, Fleetwood Records began traveling
around the country recording drum and
bugle corps competitions. In 1960
Fleetwood converted a supermarket in
Revere Massachusetts, into studio
space. In 1966 the company found it's
niche in sports highlight records that
recounted different championship team
seasons, or important sports moments.
In putting highlight tapes, interviews,
and play-by-play excerpts together on a
record, the moments were documented on
vinyl and preserved for generations to
come.
Fleetwood began
releasing Sports Albums in 1966 with "Havlicek Stole The Ball"
featuring highlights of the Boston
Celtic Championship Play-offs from 1956
to 1966. The following year, Fleetwood issued
their first baseball record, "The Impossible Dream,"
a recording that was originally a radio
special put together by radio station
WHDH and highlighted the Red Sox
incredible season of 1967.
In the years to come, Fleetwood issued records with narration and
play-by-pay segments by baseball's
greatest announcers including; Ken
Coleman, Lindsay Nelson, Ned Martin,
Monte Moore, Chuck Thompson, Bob
Prince, Bob Murphy, Phil Rizzuto, Marty
Brenaman, Ernie Harwell, Curt Gowdy and
Harry Kalas. Actor Jimmy Stewart and
Crooner Bing Crosby also made there
voices heard on a Fleetwood baseball
record.
From 1967-1980 the company featured championship teams, pennant and World
Series winners. Carl Yastrzemski was
honored with two Fleetwood albums
including one in celebration of his 3000
hit career. Biographies on Babe Ruth A
Legend Comes To Life, and Hank Aaron
were released when Arron broke the
all-time home run record. A recording
for "The House That Ruth Built," Yankee
Stadium was issued in 1973, before the
renovation.
The baseball series of sports albums were released until 1980, when ESPN,
the networks, and leagues, wanted to
capitalize on releasing highlights of
sports. Fleetwood was no longer allowed
to make highlight albums, and lost the
rights to it.
There is also some great album cover art done by Fleetwood cover designer
Dick Hamilton. The 1969 Psychedelic
style cover on the official centennial
record album, "Baseball - The First 100
Years" was designed by American
commercial illustrator Bob Peak. He is
best known for innovative designs of
the modern movie posters that include
West Side Story and My Fair Lady.
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