Music recorded in June 1922
June 1922 was a month of simultaneous national restructuring, political violence, exploration, and cultural renewal. On June 1, the Royal Ulster Constabulary was established in Northern Ireland, marking the beginning of a new governing order. On June 7, an avalanche occurred on the north ridge of Mount Everest during a British climb, killing seven Sherpas. On June 24, German Foreign Minister Walther Rathenau (1867–1922) was assassinated, highlighting the instability of the Weimar Republic. On June 26, the Wimbledon Championships officially began at Church Road, the new venue for the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Furthermore, on June 28, the bombardment of Dublin's Four Courts began, marking the full-scale escalation of the Irish Civil War. On June 30, the Public Record Office of Ireland was destroyed by fire during the fighting, resulting in the massive loss of historical records that had been accumulated over a long period.
Confirmed recordings this month: 0
Summary of information regarding the June 1922 recording.
In the recording industry in June 1922, there was activity in companies with records that directly trace June releases, June dated recordings, and company reorganizations during June. As far as can be confirmed, this includes Thomas A. Edison, Inc.'s supply of new cylinder records, the reorganization of Emerson Phonograph Company, Inc. and its related brands, Columbia Graphophone Company's live sales demonstrations, Victor Talking Machine Company's historic recordings, and jazz recordings associated with Andrae Nordskog (1881–1942) and Sunshine Records.
Edison
At Thomas A. Edison, Inc., we can confirm the release of Blue Amberole numbers 4519–4527 in June 1922. This June release group includes instrumental music by Rudy Wiedoeft (1893–1940) and vocals by Walter van Brunt (1872–1949) and Vernon Dalhart (1883–1948), indicating that the company continued to supply new cylinder releases in mid-1922.
Emerson
On June 1, 1922, the Emerson Phonograph Company, Inc. sold its trademarks and major assets, including those of the Regal Record Company, to Benjamin Abrams (dates of birth and death unknown). Subsequently, from June to August, recording activities were suspended while the company underwent restructuring. It can be confirmed that during this month, the company focused more on the transfer of management and business reconstruction than on new recordings.
- https://mainspringpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AMERICAN-RECORD-CO_ed2-v3.pdf
- https://mainspringpress.org/2025/06/16/new-free-download-american-record-companies-and-producers-1888-1950-second-edition-allan-sutton-mainspring-press/
Columbia
In an advertisement dated June 20, 1922, the Columbia Graphophone Company prominently displayed new release numbers and urged consumers to attend demonstrations of the Graphonola at retail stores. June documents indicate that the company's actions were more about continuing to announce new releases and conduct demonstrations through its retail network, rather than making major system changes.
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=SBNT19220620.1.3
- https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=is&oid=SBNT19220620.1.3&type=staticpdf
Victor
On June 30, 1922, the Victor Talking Machine Company recorded with Eck Robertson (1887–1975) and Henry Gilliland (1869–1968). These recordings, known as "Arkansaw Traveler" and "Sallie Gooden," are considered important examples in the company's early country music recording history.
- https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/ArkansawTraveler.pdf
- https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/recording-registry/descriptions-and-essays/
Nordskog/Sunshine
Kid Ory's (1886–1973) "Ory's Creole Trombone" is listed as a recording from June 1922. This recording was made for Andrae Nordskog's (1881–1942) Nordskog Records and later distributed by the Spikes Brothers' Sunshine Records, and is important as one of the early commercial recordings by a Black New Orleans jazz band.
- https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/OrysCreoleTrombone.pdf
- https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/recording-registry/registry-by-induction-years/2005/
