Like so many others, Art Rupe came to California to find fame and fortune. But in doing so, Rupe broke new ground. The Pennsylvania native had grown up listening to the music coming from the local, primarily African-American Baptist church. He'd fallen in love with gospel and studied the adjacent sounds of rhythm and blues which were growing in popularity. Rather than water down the music in a supposed attempt to reach white audiences, he was determined to release it with all its raw power.