Cameo Parkway records were based in Philadelphia and help to make what became known as the Philly Sound.
Cameo had many fine soul artists, and writers such as Kenny Gamble. The company was founded in 1956 in Philadelphia by Bernie Lowe and Kal Mann. Dave Appell joined the label early as A & R director. Parkway, a subsidiary label, was formed in 1958 based at 1405 Locust Street in Philadelphia.
Cameo was one of the mid-1950s Philadelphia labels. It was the home of classic Doo-Wappers the Silhouettes Bobby Rydell, Dee Dee Sharp, and the Orlons Bunny Sigler. Chubby Checker, the Dovells, Dee Dee Sharp, the Tymes.
The company collapsed in 1964 and Allen Klein of Apple fame gained control. By the early 1970s the name had become Abkco (Allen B. Klein Co.).
Bobby Rydell and Chubby Checker
Everyone is waiting for Abkco to reissue the Cameo/Parkway material on CD as Klein has promised to put out a Cameo/Parkway box set since 1989 - we are still waiting.
