The Hot Wax and Invictus labels were formed in Detroit Michigan in 1969 by Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland and Eddie Holland. Holland-Dozier-Holland were the most successful songwriter/producers in the world when they left the Motown label in 1968. Because of lawsuits involving their departure from Motown, they were prevented from recording anything until about a year later.

They seemed to pick up right where they left off at Motown. Their first single for Hot Wax was the Honey Cone's "While You're Out Looking For Sugar" [Hot Wax 6901], a top-30 R&B hit. The group included Edna Wright, Shellie Clark, and Carolyn Willis. Wright was the sister of Darlene Love (of Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans, solo recordings, and the Blossoms). When Darlene's Blossoms developed a conflict in their schedule, Darlene asked Edna to put together a trio to appear on an Andy Williams special as backup singers in place of the Blossoms. Edna got Shellie Clark, who was working on the Jim Nabors Show, and Darlene suggested Carolyn Willis, who at one time had been with Darlene in the group Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans. The Honey Cone became the most successful and long-lasting of the Hot Wax groups, including a huge hit, "Want Ads" [Hot Wax 7011] in 1971.

The second single on Hot Wax, "Mind, Body and Soul" [6902], was by a black-sounding white group called the Flaming Embers. No overnight sensations, the group had been together since 1964. The group included Lead Singer and Drummer Jerry Plunk, keyboardist Bill Ellis, bassist Mike Jackson, and guitarist Joe Sladich. After recording a few singles for small labels, they signed with Detroit's Ric-Tic label in 1966, where they recorded six singles to little success. When Ric-Tic was sold to Motown in 1968, the Flaming Embers' were released from their contract. They shopped around for major labels, and finally signed with the new Hot Wax label mainly on the reputation of Holland, Dozier, and Holland. After their first top-30 hit, they charted with followup "Shades of Green" [Hot Wax 6907, #88], then with two more top-40 tunes, "Westbound #9" [Hot Wax 7003] and "I'm Not My Brother's Keeper" [Hot Wax 7006]. Their fourth single, "Stop the World and Let Me Off" [Hot Wax 7010], essentially ended their radio airplay, as the country was not ready for the record's Lesbian theme.

The next group to chart for Hot Wax was 100 Proof (Aged in Soul), which included lead singer Clyde Wilson (Steve Mancha), Joe Stubbs (ex-Falcons and Contours, and brother of the Four Tops' Levi Stubbs), and Eddie Anderson (Eddie Holiday). The registered four chart singles on the Top 100, including top-10 "Somebody's Been Sleeping" [Hot Wax 7004].

The fourth major act for Hot Wax was Laura Lee, also a veteran of the music business. She had started in gospel groups in the 1950s, then signed with Ric-Tic and then Chess and Cotillion in the 1960s. By 1970, she had returned to Detroit, where she was recruited for Hot Wax. She reeled off five top-100 sides for Hot Wax, including "Women's Love Rights" [Hot Wax 7105] and "Rip Off" [Hot Wax 7204]. In 1973, when Hot Wax finally folded due to cash flow problems, H-D-H moved her over to their Invictus label.

The first Hot Wax label is white with black printing. The top ¬ of the label is black with a drawing of a record on a turntable with flames coming from it. Below the black portion is "HOT" to the left of the center hole and "WAX" to the right in red and orange. The second Hot Wax label was white and orange with black printing. There is a swirl of orange at the top and bottom of the label with white in the middle. 'hot wax" in black above the center hole. Hot Wax was distributed by Buddah.

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 Hot Wax Records, which is currently owned by H-D-H. Should you want to contact H-D-H/Fantasy, or 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, 2005 by Mike Callahan.