Keen (Label)

Keen (Label) Los Angeles-based pop label most famous for issuing Sam Cooke’s first solo hit recordings. The label was founded by John and Alex Siamas, who were successful businessmen and amateur music buffs. Founded in early 1957, the brothers employed musician Bob Keane (who may have given the label its name) briefly before Keane struck out on his own to found Del-Fi. Without a house producer, the label might have folded except for a lucky break. Producer Robert “Bumps” Blackwell arranged for…