United Records was in business from July 1951 to December 1957. It was operated by Chicago businessman Leonard Allen, initially in collaboration with Lew Simpkins. United issued records by such artists as Tab Smith, Jimmy Forrest, Gene Ammons, Memphis Slim, Roosevelt Sykes, The Four Blazes, The Moroccos, Robert Anderson and The Staple Singers.In May 1952, United was joined by a sister label, States.United released 116 singles in a series that ran from 101 to 217, skipping 135 and 200.