THE RECORD STORE WITH THE DIFFERENCE !
Pioneering force in reggae music
Hector Anderson
Roydale Anderson
Roydale Anderson
Hector Anderson co-founder of Andy’s Records, migrated from Kingston, Jamaica to Bronx, New York in 1961. In 1970 he joined forces with his brother Roydale Anderson to start Andy’s records. Andy’s records remained in business for 25 years before closing its doors in 1995. Andys Records was located on 214 E 170th Street, Bronx NY.
As a CEO of Andy’s records, Hector Anderson collaborated with reggae music’s well known producers and artist to escalate the music to higher level. Andy’s records was considered one of the Top four Caribbean record stores in the Tri-state area, while also being responsible of 80% of radio programming in New York City. Under the guidance of Hector Anderson, Andy’s Records became the leading distributor of Caribbean and American music. Due to the huge success, Andy’s was able to garner business across the country, exporting and importing the latest music serving the rapidly growing Caribbean Community worldwide. Hector Anderson along with his brother Roydale made Andy’s records famous for being the first record store to import reggae music to the United States.
Staying in close contact with the Caribbean American Community, Hector Anderson decided to launch his own independent record label. In 1973 Andy’s record label was formed with Riverhead records and Sydna Records being the subsidiaries. Andy’s Record label grew to be one of the most popular record labels of its genre while spearheading the career of much renowned Reggae artiste such as Delroy Wilson, Gregory Isaac, Niney the Observer and many more. He also collabered with Producers such as King Tubbys, King Jammys and Bunny Lee.
Andy’s works are still featured presently and is given pioneer status throughout the entertainment industry.
Roydale Anderson
Roydale Anderson
Roydale Anderson
Pioneering Record producer and record store operator, Roydale Anderson, of Andy’s Records in the Bronx, New York City, also known as "Benno"
Benny migrated to the Bronx, New York, in November 1963. Shortly thereafter, he and his older brother opened up a taxi-service and also sold records on the side. This was the start of Andy’s Record Store, on the famous 170th Street off the Grand Concourse.
Andy’s Records was one of the pioneers in the record business to import Reggae music to the U.S and distributing records to the Tri-State area. He worked with many folks in the music industry — other producers and a few reggae artistes. As a producer himself, he worked with artistes such as: Gregory Isaacs, The Paragons, Slim Smith, Augustus Pablo, Garth Dennis (Black Uhuru), and the Original Wailers. Although he didn’t record, he also worked with Dennis Brown’s Westbound Train.
He was active in the BANSU Soccer Club, as well as the Rochester West Indian Festival Committee (RWIFO). His love of music never left, and he remained active in the music industry, where he not only brought several acts to the Rochester and surrounding areas. He was the manager of a local band, Jahmel & the Rhythm Factory.