Chess

Chess on vinyl: Chicago blues and rock ’n’ roll

In short: Brothers Leonard and Phil Chess, who came to the US from Poland as children, made Chicago the centre of electric blues. Leonard bought into the company Aristocrat in the late forties, and in 1950 it became Chess Records: Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Sonny Boy Williamson recorded here – and Chuck Berry shaped rock ’n’ roll with “Maybellene” (1955). The Vinyl Room currently has 41 Chess records.

From our stock

Chess first pressings

Blues

Rock ’n’ roll, soul & rhythm & blues

Comedy

→ Argo · Cadet · Chicago blues · Blues on vinyl

What makes Chess special?

Willie Dixon was often in the studio – as bassist, songwriter and producer. In the mid-sixties Chess collected older singles in the album series “The Real Folk Blues”; we have Muddy Waters’ “More Real Folk Blues” and Sonny Boy Williamson’s “The Real Folk Blues”, plus Howlin’ Wolf’s “Chester Burnett A.K.A. Howlin’ Wolf” and “The Best Of Muddy Waters”.

Chuck Berry is here with “One Dozen Berrys”, “More Chuck Berry” and “Chuck Berry On Stage”. A surprise for many: in the sixties Chess also released comedy – by Moms Mabley and Pigmeat Markham. Add soul from Jackie Ross and Laura Lee. In 1969 the company was sold; the same year Leonard Chess died.

FAQ

Who founded Chess Records? Brothers Leonard and Phil Chess in Chicago, in 1950 – from the company Aristocrat, which Leonard had bought into.

What is “The Real Folk Blues”? An album series from the mid-sixties with older Chess recordings by Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson and others.

Which labels belonged to Chess? Among others Checker, for Bo Diddley for example, and Argo – later Cadet – for jazz.

What do you have on Chess? Blues, rock ’n’ roll, soul and comedy – 41 records in all.