"We have now entered the double entendre era."
Thus sprach Eli Oberstein in a 1940 Time Magazine article. Several items he produced for his Varsity record label became staples of the under-the-counter market. Sides by Johnny Messner and John Ryan were brokered to an array of party record outfits from coast to coast. These included Top Hat Records, Risque, Kicks, Stag, High Society and, of course, John Ryan Records.
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Oberstein was a highly influential record producer whose activities opened avenues of success for many artists but outraged others. He was a colorful character who's career has been obscured by a lot of great story telling, sometimes by Eli himself. Extensive research has uncovered the facts behind the myths and resolved some of the controversies.
HERE IS AN OUTLINE OF THE LIFE AND CAREER OF ELI OBERSTEIN
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