Ralph Bass

Ralph Bass (1 May 1911 – 5 March 1997), born Ralph Basso, Jr., was an American rhythm-and-blues record producer and talent scout for several independent labels. He was a pioneer in bringing African-American music into the American mainstream. During his career he worked in key roles for Black & White Records, Savoy Records, King Records, Federal Records, and Chess Records, recording some of the greatest performers in African-American music, including Etta James, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Earl Bostic, and groups such as the Platters and the Dominoes. Bass was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 as a nonperformer.