Ep559: Rhino Records Co-Founder Richard Foos

Ep559: Rhino Records Co-Founder Richard Foos

Author: The Vinyl Guide August 10, 2026 Duration: 59:55

Rhino Records co-founder Richard Foos reveals how a scrappy record shop invented reissue culture, chasing master tapes, getting arrested for selling bootleg records, memories of Frank Zappa, Darby Crash and more.

Topics Include:

  • Foos discusses being called originator of reissue culture, credits early employee's phrase.
  • Started as a Los Angeles record shop in 1973.
  • Recalls how scarce and cheap rare records were before collecting culture existed.
  • Describes hunting records at warehouses, swap meets, and Salvation Army stores.
  • Notes punk rock's DIY ethos sparked broader music fandom and collecting.
  • Rhino's shop became a punk hangout; Darby Crash was banned for chaos.
  • Explains how punk bands pressed 45s since albums were too costly.
  • James Brown's out-of-print catalog became Rhino's breakthrough first major reissue.
  • Details licensing process: major labels' passive licensing departments simply approved requests.
  • Rhino insisted on original master tapes, never secondary sources or stampers.
  • Engineer Bill Englott restored recordings purely, never altering original mixes.
  • Some projects stalled without usable masters, like a punk box set.
  • Nuggets compilation missed "96 Tears" for years due to licensing issues.
  • Foos explains Rhino's sequencing philosophy: welcoming newcomers, not strict chronology.
  • Doo-wop box set, initially unpopular internally, became Rhino's best-selling release.
  • Discusses 20-25 year nostalgia cycles driving collectibility of past decades' music.
  • Notes scarce 2000s vinyl pressings now make that era highly collectible.
  • Rhino focused on best listening experience over rarities for rarity's sake.
  • Foos recounts pre-Rhino bootlegging ties and friendship with bootleg artist Bill Stout.
  • Reveals he was arrested for selling bootlegs during a warehouse sale.
  • Discusses how record labels misunderstood fandom, limiting artist output and bootlegs.
  • Reflects on vinyl's spiritual appeal despite many records never being played.
  • Compares cassette-era scarcity to streaming's shifting availability of licensed content.
  • Predicts streaming remains the future, praises YouTube's vast musical accessibility.
  • Doubts catalog values will keep rising, questions which artists endure historically.
  • Criticizes a post-Rhino "L.A. Nuggets" box set for prioritizing rarity over listenability.
  • Recalls Kinky Friedman rejecting a hits compilation over disliking his originals.
  • Explains publishing hurdles licensing music for Freaks and Geeks and WKRP DVDs.
  • Describes working with Frank Zappa on Beat the Boots and elaborate packaging.
  • Shares current work: Shout Factory, wife's Narrative Method, and a new podcast.

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who are deeply passionate about music get together, surrounded by shelves of records. The Vinyl Guide-Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds captures that feeling perfectly. Hosted by Nate, a dedicated collector and enthusiast, this podcast feels less like a formal interview and more like you're overhearing a great chat in the back of a record store. The discussions naturally weave through artists' creative processes, the stories behind iconic albums, and the tangible magic of the format itself. You'll hear from musicians, producers, and other insiders who live and breathe vinyl, offering perspectives that go far beyond the liner notes. But it's not just about the artists; it's for the collectors, too. Episodes often delve into the practical, nerdy details that make this hobby so compelling-like distinguishing between a common pressing and a rare, valuable find, or learning how to properly care for your collection so it lasts for decades. It’s that blend of artistic insight and collector-focused knowledge that gives this podcast its unique character. Whether you're a seasoned cratedigger or just appreciate the warmth of an analog recording, these conversations offer a rich, human connection to the music you love, all centered around the grooves of a vinyl record.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
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