9th Ward Daily Photo via rl reeves jr

We’ve been on a multi-year deep dive into old Louisiana record labels of yore, and feel like it’s time to mention Rocky Robin’s N-Joy label out of West Monroe, Louisiana.

Roland “Rocky” Robin didn’t get his start the way most rock n roll entrepreneurs do. He first attained his pre-med undergraduate studies degree at Tulane University before receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from Northeast Louisiana University with a designation in Pharmacy.

Robin then shepherded 17 45 singles into existence between 1964 and 1967. N-Joy burned bright as the sun before flaming out.

This morning we’ve been blasting Duane Yates’ blue eyed soul classic “Passin’On By” which came out in 1965 on N-Joy. It’s a screamer and best enjoyed with a group of loud friends drinking and carousing in your living room.