Vee-Jay Records, which specialized in R&B, Jazz, Gospel, Blues and Rock & Roll was founded in Chicago in 1953 by husband-and-wife team, Vivian Carter and James C. Bracken. The first initial of their first names were used to form the Vee-Jay label name. Also Vee-Jay was the first female, African-American owned record company, located at 1449 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago, IL. The label was formed several years before Motown.

Notable R&B Doo-Wop groups include The Spaniels, the Dells and the El Dorados recorded for Vee-Jay. Blues artists Jerry Butler, Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker also were on contract. Soul music was well represented by the iceman, Jerry Butler, The Duke of Earl; Gene Chandler, Dee Clark (Raindrops), and the Shoop, Shoop girl, Betty Everett.

Vee-Jay’s Rock & Roll / Pop roster included The Four Seasons and launched the first Beatles records in the USA.