Fortune was started in 1946 by the husband and wife team of Devora and Jack Brown in Detroit Michigan. Fortune recorded rhythm and blues, country and western, jazz, gospel and ethnic music. The most successful act for Fortune was Nolan Strong and the Diablos.

The label was a family affair, as Devora wrote many of the songs that appeared on the label and Jack Brown recorded the songs. The company seemed to be operated as a hobby label for many years and was more active in some periods than others. The original albums came out during the sixties but were reissued in the seventies. Among the albums of interest on the label are the three albums by Nolan Strong and the Diablos, albums by Nathaniel Mayer and the Twilights, an album by bluesman Dr. Ross, and an album by John Lee Hooker and Big Maceo. The album called Tattooed Lady has early tracks by rockabilly pioneer Roy Hall and the York Brothers.

Determining original issues of Fortune albums is very confusing, because the 1960s albums were reissued in the 1970s with the original label. We believe the first label was red with silver print, with "fortune" in silver above the center hole. Above the Fortune logo is the slogan "for TRULY GREAT MUSIC". This label was the original on LP-3001. The next label was purple with silver print, with the same graphics. This was the original label on the 8000 series. The third label was yellow with blue printing, again with the same graphics. The albums with the yellow and blue labels are reissues from the sixties. The problem with identifying original sixties pressings is that the original purple and silver label was used again on seventies reissues. We believe that the only way to tell an original from a reissue is that the originals have thicker wax, and that's definitely not a science.

We would appreciate any additions or corrections to this discography. Just send them to us via e-mail. Both Sides Now Publications is an information web page. We are not a catalog, nor can we provide the records listed below. We have no association with Fortune Records, which is currently inactive. Should you be interested in acquiring albums listed in this discography (which are all out of print), we suggest you see our Frequently Asked Questions page and follow the instructions found there. This story and discography are copyright 1999 by Mike Callahan.