Chess Records

Chess Records was an American record label, based in Chicago, Illinois. It was run by the brothers Leonard Chess and Phil Chess. One of the most important record labels in rock and roll history, Chess Records released dozens of singles and albums now regarded as cornerstones of rock music, by the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Chuck Berry Bo Diddley and others.

Related Topics:
American - Record label - Chicago, Illinois - Leonard Chess - Phil Chess - Rock and roll - Muddy Waters - Howlin' Wolf - Chuck Berry - Bo Diddley

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Chess Records became famous for the blues music, rock & roll and rhythm & blues recorded and released by the label. Artists associated with Chess Records included Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Gene Ammons, Jimmy Rogers, Little Walter, The Moonglows, Etta James, Minnie Riperton, and others. Dixon in particular was a vital figure at Chess Records: he was not only a fine bassist and prolific songwriter, but also aided in orchestration and was something of a figurehead for the label.

Related Topics:
Blues music - Rock & roll - Rhythm & blues - Willie Dixon - Sonny Boy Williamson II - Gene Ammons - Jimmy Rogers - Little Walter - The Moonglows - Etta James - Minnie Riperton - Orchestration

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Chess Records was started as Aristocrat Records. Leonard and Phil Chess bought a stake of that company in 1947, then in 1950 they became sole owners and renamed it Chess Records.

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In 1952 they started Checker Records, mainly as a gospel label. In 1955 they launched a jazz sub label: Argo Records (which changed name in 1965 to Cadet Records because a similar named label existed already in the UK). In 1969 the Chess brothers sold the label to General Recorded Tape for $6.5 million. In October 1969 Leonard died and by 1972 only the Chess recording studio was operational. In August 1975 GRT sold what remained of Chess Records to All Platinum Records. The master tapes were eventually bought by MCA Records.

Related Topics:
Checker Records - Gospel - Jazz - Argo Records - Cadet Records - General Recorded Tape - All Platinum Records - MCA Records

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A popular story is that the Rolling Stones owe their origin to a Chess Records release: Keith Richards saw Mick Jagger, whom he had known in grammar school, at Dartford railway station; Keith started talking to him because he noticed he was carrying a copy of Chess LP-1427, "The Best of Muddy Waters." He wanted to know where Jagger purchased it.

Related Topics:
Rolling Stones - Keith Richards - Mick Jagger

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