Art Rupe, Specialty Records Founder and Rock ‘n’ Roll Pioneer, Dies at 104
Cynthia Littleton Business EditorArt Rupe, an early rock ‘n’ roll music mogul and founder of the influential Specialty Records, died April 15 at his home in Santa Barbara, Calif. He was 104.Specialty championed such indelible artists as Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Lloyd Price and Percy Mayfield after its launch in Los Angeles in 1946.