Who owns chess records

I'll always be grateful for that. Like other businessmen of blues and early rock, the brothers were Jewish kids with an affinity for black music.

After Phil served in the Army during World War II, the brothers started out with a liquor store, then ran the Macomba Lounge nightclub and music venue, before getting into the music recording business. Michigan Avenue, which still stands. They recorded everything from minimalist blues and harmony groups to Berry and fellow rocker Bo Diddley.

The impact of Chess blues was especially strong in the United Kingdom, where American recordings were cherished and hard to find in the s and early '60s. James had two sons, Donto James and Sametto James, born to different fathers. Both started performing with their mother — Donto played drums at Montreux in , and Sametto played bass guitar circa Filming locations included Louisiana, Mississippi, and New Jersey.

He played harmonica, but some say he was the greatest blues singer of all time. Folks looked at them like instruments. Originally from Mississippi, he moved to Chicago in adulthood and became successful, forming a professional rivalry with fellow bluesman Muddy Waters. Leonard died of a heart attack in That same year, Chess Records was sold and Phil moved to Arizona, where he worked in radio.

In the s, alcoholism curtailed his career, and he died following a street fight. Little Walter was one of the major figures in postwar Chicago Blues. Influenced by guitarists as well as by senior harmonica players, he brought a singular variety of language to the blues harmonica. Going to California — A song about Joni Mitchell, but an original nonetheless. John Lee Hooker first recorded for Chess in By the earlys, Water's group added pianist Otis Spann.

Phil Chess Leonard Chess. Phil Chess. Leonard Chess. It achieved landmark status from the City of Chicago in The organization that operates it is called the Blues Heaven Foundation , which raises funds for music scholarships, helps supplement the income of blues musicians and helps promote the blues legacy. Chess Records, S.

Holder of two journalism degrees, including a masters from Northwestern University, Tom Schaffner is a native of the Chicago area and has spent nearly 50 years as a writer, editor, publisher and professional communications consultant.

He was also the founder, editor, and publisher of the Chicago File , as well as the co-owner of L Stop Tours. Skip to main content.