They never had and children together. In 1928, an Orthodox Jewish family named Checz came to America from Poland. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leonard-Chess, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - Biography of Leonard Chess. That’s three generations singing (but hopefully not living) the blues! Phil Chess, Co-Founder Of Chess Records, Dies At 95 With his brother Leonard, Chess championed iconic blues and rock 'n' roll artists like Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry and Etta James. wow! It is a shame that the general public is not aware of the role Chess Records and the blues played in the history of Rock n Roll. In 1947 brothers Leonard and Phil Chess became partners with Charles and Evelyn Aron in the Aristocrat Record Company. I am watching Cadillac Records as I read this bio and its great to learn even more about those who brought us the music we still hear today. He immigrated to the U.S in 1928 with his mother, sister, and brother—and future partner—Fiszel (later Philip); they joined his father, who had preceded them, in Chicago. Less than a year after selling their label, Leonard Chess was dead. History. In 1987 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. ( Log Out /  Above: No, it’s not Beyonce. His best-known songs included ‘Trouble No More,’ ‘Got My Mojo Working,’ ‘I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man,’ and ‘Mannish Boy.’ Learn more about his life and music. In 1964 the Rolling Stones, hot on their first tour of America, made a pilgrimage to the Chess building at 2120 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago. It stretches southward 385 miles (620 km) from the Wisconsin border in the north to Cairo in the south. Leonard Chess died just months later, on October 16, 1969. A clean and minimal question and answer theme for WordPress and AnsPress. Genre. The wonderful Etta James during her Chess period. She signed to Chess in 1960 and converted Willie Dixon’s “Spoonful” into an R&B hit. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! After working at several trades, Leonard Chess opened a … Her breakthrough came the following year with “At Last.” The gorgeous soul ballad was a bit of a departure for the label – guitars and harmonicas were replaced by a lush string orchestra. ... Less than a year after selling their label, Leonard Chess was dead. He had been on his way to a meeting at WVON. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. That, according to several who worked with both of them at Chess and to Leonard’s son Marshall, did not happen. "He went up and down the halls of Chess announcing, `Etta's crossed over! Leonard, the older brother, died in 1969. Shane, Corrections? Leonard Chess died just months later, on October 16, 1969. Guy didn’t find true success until his 1991 comeback album “Damn Right I’ve Got the Blues” on the Silvertone label. While Sony Music Canada confirmed Cohen’s death, they shared no details about the date or cause. After working at several trades, Leonard Chess opened a lounge, and Phil joined him in the business. Primarily a session guitarist, solo singles like “The First Time I Met the Blues” barely hinted at the flamboyant style that influenced Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He immigrated to the U.S in 1928 with his mother, sister, and brother—and future partner—Fiszel (later Philip); they joined his father, who had preceded them, in Chicago. When Muddy tells Etta that Leonard didn't leave a will, she reveals that Leonard gave her the deed to her house just that morning. Leonard Chess tragically died just a few months later, and Phil retired from the music business several years later. He had two children and was living on the South Shore of Chicago. I think your full of it.. My couzin marshall chess has a journal and said this is all BS! The other took more than three decades to reach his commercial potential, but stands today as the greatest living link to Chess and Chicago blues. Thanks. Howlin Wolf is my favorite blue singer as well. Just 52 years old, the elder brother had died of a heart attack in his car less than two blocks from the Chess headquarters. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Updates? Company patriarch Leonard Chess had sold the label to the GRT corporation in 1969, and died a few months later. In 2013, the brothers were also the recipients of the Recording Academy’s Trustees Award. After working at several trades, Leonard Chess opened a … In 1969, the Chess brothers, Len and Phil, sold Chess Records to GRT. Nor did she use drugs because she was distraught over not knowing the identity of her biological father–James knew this was a possibility, but clearly saw herself as black and never tried to identify as mixed or biracial. Learn how your comment data is processed. Navigate parenthood with the help of the Raising Curious Learners podcast. When GRT made an offer of $6.5 million for all of the label’s properties, they accepted. Joel. It was probably too convenient for music fans to have all these great videos in one place. Adam Cohen, Leonard Cohen’s son, simple stated, “My father passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles with the knowledge that he had completed what he felt was one of his greatest records.” Leonard Cohen was 82 years old, and died in his L.A. home. Although he was known for his anarchic guitar playing onstage, the Chess brothers reigned him in on record. Etta's crossed over!' The last Chess blues record to chart was "Wang Dang Doodle" by Koko Taylor in 1966. He had been on his way to a meeting at WVON. My wife Janice Brown with her pastor the late F. C. Barnes’s “Rough Side of the Mountain” sold 250,000 copies the first week of release and stayed # 1 on Billboard for two years. From the gritty soul of “In the Basement” and “Tell Mama” to the heartache of “I’d Rather Go Blind,” James’ versatile voice found success for the rest of the decade. Leonard Chess bought a stake in Aristocrat Records in 1947. in 1950, he brought his brother, Phil, into the operation, and they became the sole owners of the company. Omissions? Stay safe, Latoya. It really is that good, man. Test your knowledge of pitch, treble clefs, and more in this music quiz. Questions; Did Leonard Chess date Etta James? I have now updated all the Chess/Cadillac Record entries. He had two children and was living on the South Shore of Chicago. Thanks so much for the information in a well-written, condensed form. Etta James was born in Los Angeles to an unwed, 14-year-old mother. Both brothers were inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1995. The Chess family found a … The True Story of Cadillac Records (Part Three): The Final Days and Legacy of Chess Records, The Birth of Chess Records and Chicago Blues, Chess Records and the Birth of Rock and Roll. She was discovered at age 14 by bandleader Johnny Otis, and recorded with him for Modern Records in the late 1950s. Died . February 15, 1968 in Chicago, IL. I think its great the blues continues to resonate and has been passed along from your mother, to you and now your children. “It never happened.” He even asked James, a longtime friend, and she told him, “He kissed me on the cheek once.” In 1972, Phil Chess retired to Arizona. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. That don’t include 7 other albums that went to # 1 or in the TOP 10 this was written by Bishop Monte Stephens husband of Janice Brown Stephens know as Ebony & Ivory in the music world. Mr. The last Chess blues record to chart was "Wang Dang Doodle" by Koko Taylor in 1966. After Leonard Chess sold his label, Chess Records in '69, and subsequently died of a heart attack several months later, Etta still stayed with Chess Records for almost a decade. Chess died overnight in Tucson, Arizona, according to his nephew, Craig Glicken, who spoke to the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Muddy Waters, dynamic American blues guitarist and singer who played a major role in creating the post-World War II electric blues. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. It really is that good, man. Each new station in his life would be marked by a new house, a new office. As fans of the electric blues, a style being heard in Chicago after World War II, they signed such artists as Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf, Etta James, Koko Taylor, and Bo Diddley and played a major role in introducing black music to a wider white audience. He goes to his office, packs up the photos on his wall. In 1977 NASA gave the label celestial influence when they placed a copy Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” inside the Voyager space probe. All the lawsuits were settled confidentially out of court; the issue is still debated today. … When Leonard Chess first heard her sing I'd Rather Go Blind, he had to leave the room, so nobody would see him cry. Really enjoyed the movie and wanted to find the true story. As he is driving down the street, he suffers a fatal heart attack. Leonard Chess had just turned forty. Shame on you. It really is that good, man. Leonard Chess, Polish-born U.S. record producer. DON, I’m grateful for my Parents they introduced me all this music I have 3 kids And my grandson even knows about Cadillac records but I also do my research afterwards because me being who I am I know this isn’t all true but I’m glad I saw this story on the internet it’s amazing thank you for it and I still listen to Howling Wolf He was my mommy’s Favorite May they all continue to rest and know they all have a lot of new fans over here. He had a heart attack at the age of 52 just months after selling Chess Records Each year, tourists and musicians alike visit the building to pay homage to the Chess masters and stand in the space where so many incredible songs were captured. … With Leonard no longer alive, it was up to Phil and Marshall, Leonard’s son, to appease the worries from their biggest stars that the brothers had made unreasonable profits off their artists. The Chess brothers will still get their story told, however. In the 1970s, several Chess artists, including Waters, Wolf and Dixon sued for back royalty payments. Change ). ( Log Out /  Long live the Blues. Too bad Youtube does not want to let us hear any of the music as we are reading (helping us to buy copies of the music). Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Shane. Without American blues there would be no rock n roll today. Buddy Guy showed up in Chicago in 1957 and quickly fell under the wing of Muddy Waters. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Was the spelling- Mocambo or Macambo ? Leonard Chess is attributed with discovering Etta James and putting her the Chess Record label. In 1947 Leonard joined the Aristocrat Record Company; in 1950 he bought the company and, with Phil as partner, renamed it Chess. Thanks for reading, Leonard and Phil probably felt they took good care of their artists, but they also made sure to take great care of themselves at the same time. Social. They returned to Fame Studios in December to finish recording tracks for … Music writing by Joel Francis. That same year, Chess Records was sold and Phil moved to Arizona, where he worked in radio. Phil Chess, who co-founded the legendary label Chess Records with his brother Leonard and helped make Chicago the epicenter of the blues, died … I agree that it was not cool for Universal (who owns the Chess label and masters) to pull that great content off Youtube. The Chess brothers will still get their story told, however. In 1941, he married Revetta Sloan who was also Jewish; they had three children: son Marshall, daughter Pam, and another son Kevin. In the 1950s, Leonard Chess, a Polish-born Jew in Chicago, along with his brother Phil (not seen in this film) produced "race" records by African American blues and rock and roll legends like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Chuck Berry and Etta James. Please correct that piece of information. From bloozy biker bars and hole-in-the-wall BBQ juke joints to stadium tours by the Rolling Stones and samples used by rappers Nas and Chuck D, there are few corners of the English-speaking world where the impact of Chess’ artists isn’t felt. Those videos worked when I published these posts back in December. Part Two: Chess Records and the Birth of Rock and Roll, this was very informative better recaps than most available in some years…. They returned to Fame Studios in December to finish recording tracks for the Tell … Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... You may have experienced someone singing in a terrible pitch, but do you know another name for the treble clef? One of their biggest signings of the decade was an immediate success. ( Log Out /  Each new station in his life would be marked by a new house, a new office. It really is that good, man. Contrary to the portrayal of James in the film, she was not romantically involved with Chess Records founder Leonard Chess. In 1969, the Chess brothers, Len and Phil, sold Chess Records to GRT. The Leonard Chess in Cohodas’ book bears only a passing resemblance to the Leonard Chess in “Cadillac Records,” as played by Oscar-winning Jewish actor Adrien Brody, 37 (“The Pianist” ). so many miles apart to chess together from the heart Nearly 40 years after its sale, the legacy of Chess Records continues to burn bright. Just 52 years old, the elder brother had died of a heart attack in his car less than two blocks from the Chess headquarters. The full statement Sony Music Canada posted on Facebook read, “It i… While many of the Chess stars were also very well off, other artists showed less financial responsibility and had very little to show for their success. Etta James, whose assertive, earthy voice lit up such hits as "The Wallflower," "Something's Got a Hold on Me" and the wedding favorite "At Last," has died, according to … When Leonard Chess first heard her sing I'd Rather Go Blind, he had to leave the room, so nobody would see him cry. In addition to Wisconsin, the state borders Lake Michigan to the northeast, Indiana to the east, Kentucky to the southeast, Missouri…. Concerts. True gospel came from the plantations…slaves singing for hopes of freedom…thus the blues came about on those same plantations, and later sharecroppers. Company patriarch Leonard Chess had sold the label to the GRT corporation in 1969, and died a few months later. Thanks to the proselytizing of the British Invasion bands, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf and other blues artists were performing for the largest crowds of their careers. Leonard Chess, orig.Lejzor Czyz, (born March 12, 1917, Motule, Pol.—died Oct. 16, 1969, Chicago, Ill., U.S.), Polish-born U.S. record producer. Nice wrap up. i wish i was born in that era to actually see how greatness is created out of nothing Just 52 years old, the elder brother had died of a heart attack in his car less than two blocks from the Chess headquarters. Leonard Chess had just turned forty. He immigrated to the U.S in 1928 with his mother, sister, and brother—and future partner—Fiszel (later Philip); they joined his father, who had preceded them, in Chicago. Phil Chess, co-founder of Chicago’s legendary Chess Records, a label credited with helping to invent rock ‘n’ roll, has died in Tucson, Arizona, at 95. Leonard Chess, Polish-born U.S. record producer. when did etta james die? "Cadillac Records" is a fun, fast, flashy introduction to the world of Chess Records. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Rev. Marshall Chess, the son of Leonard Chess, has executive-produced an indie feature about his father and uncle called "Who Do … Chess Records was sold to GRT in 1969 for $6.5 million, and Leonard Chess died later that year. ( Log Out /  Features. Thanks for reading, Latoya. Songs. Chess Records, whose founder, Leonard Chess, called James their first soul singer, she wrote. - The film implies a romance between Leonard Chess and singer Etta James. ... Walter was firmly entrenched as Waters' studio harpist at Chess as well (long after Walter had split the Muddy Waters band, Leonard Chess insisted on his participation on waxings -- why split up an unbeatable combination? But Leonard and Phil were still looking for new ways to stay on top of the trends and build their roster. Great piece of information this story explains the Chess/Cadillac Record history better then the movie does,which was a very good movies. The copyright rules on Youtube are going to make it obsolete if it keeps going. Marshall Chess, the son of Leonard Chess, has executive-produced an indie feature … GRT shifted Chess HQ from Chicago to New York and opted to install Leonard’s son Marshall Chess as president, rather than his Uncle Phil. Still the truth has not come out…the blues did not give birth to gospel. A little over twenty years after opening the Mocambo Lounge, Leonard and Phil Chess’ dream of striking it rich had come true several times over. You can read Universal’s announcement here. Decades later, Dixon’s widow purchased the property, which serves as a Chess museum and headquarters for Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation. all that history! Muddy said “I think I’m the man that set Chicago up for the blues.” Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra shows that Chicago agrees. Nor did she use drugs because she was distraught over not knowing the identity of her biological father–James knew this was a possibility, but clearly saw herself as black and never tried to identify as mixed or biracial. trashes the room, and leaves, tears in his eyes. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Janice Brown has been paid less than $70,000.00 in 33 years. By the end of the ’60s, Leonard and Phil had been looking for a way to get out of the record business and into television. - The film implies a romance between Leonard Chess and singer Etta James. In the same year, they brought in a third partner, Evelyn Aron, and renamed the company Chess Records. On October 16, 1969, a few months after selling his namesake label to General Recorded Tape, Leonard Chess died of a heart attack. Little Walter was not mentioned. Less than a year after selling their label, Leonard Chess was dead. Connect with: Register or Login. Did Leonard Chess date Etta James? My guess is their removal has something to do with Universal’s announcement to launch their own music video site in partnership with Youtube. We know the true story…some squandered their money, but they were also riped off. He died Wednesday. AskBug. how did leonard chess die; Leonard Chess / Cause of death . bravo to daily records, GREAT PART OF MUSIC HISTORY,NEVER KNEW THIS STORY. gonna have to make a trip to chicago and the museum on south michigan…. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Leonard Chess was thrilled and to capitalize on the record’s success he pressed thousands more copies of “I Can’t Be Satisfied.” He had no serious comprehension as to why this song – whose meaning or appeal Chess did not understand in the slightest – was succeeding. & Is upset disgusted by the way people act like they know it all just because they watch some movie…GET ALIFE! GRT shifted Chess HQ from Chicago to New York and opted to install Leonard’s son Marshall Chess as president, rather than his Uncle Phil. That, according to several who worked with both of them at Chess and to Leonard’s son Marshall, did not happen. Leonard Chess tragically died just a few months later, and Phil retired from the music business several years later. In 1987 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. When he formed Chess Records in 1950 with his brother, Leonard, Phil Chess, who has died aged 95, could never have predicted the label’s historic role in the story of blues and rock’n’roll. Leonard died of a heart attack in 1969. Blues. As the 1960s dawned on Chess Records, label founders Leonard and Phil were at the peak of their powers. Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley had helped formed rock and roll, and the label had branched into more genres, including R&B, comedy, jazz and gospel. Like Chess Air/Malaco with holds millions of dollars from their artist that made gospel music history in 1983 out selling Thriller in many markets and was voted one of the TOP 20 Gospel Songs of the 20th Century. There would be no British invasion without the blues. He had been on his way to a meeting at WVON . They moved to Chicago, living at 1425 South Karlov, in the South Side, where Leonard, the older son, worked with his brother Phil in their father’s junkyard. Bo Diddley was especially bitter about his treatment, telling Rolling Stone in the 1987, “My records are sold all over the world and I ain’t got a f—ing dime.” While we’ll likely never know the truth, cases of labels withholding royalties from artists are still common today. The Chesses had operated several taverns on Chicago’s South Side—the last and largest of which was the Mocamba Lounge—and their desire to record one of the singers who performed…, Illinois, constituent state of the United States of America. Theme can be used to create a professional Q&A community. In the middle of the song, Leonard walks out. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Contrary to the portrayal of James in the film, she was not romantically involved with Chess Records founder Leonard Chess. I think people are going to be really, really surprised with what she did … Keep reading The True Story of Cadillac Records. When Leonard Chess—the founder of James’s label, Chess Records—first heard the song, James says, “he got up and left the room ’cause he started crying… With the exception of Berry, who briefly recorded for Mercury in the mid-’60s before returning to Chess, and Dixon, who took a short-lived job at Vee-Jay, all of Chess’ major artists stayed with the label until its sale. Part One: The Birth of Chess Records and Chicago Blues Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Albums. The non-working Youtube videos have been replaced with still photos. ). According to Marshall Chess, son of Leonard Chess, he had these words to say concerning the issue of this affair: “Now, my father was no angel, but (he) was never caught in an affair,” Chess said. The story of Chess Records is a part of history. Muddy said “I think I’m the man that set Chicago up for the blues.” Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra shows that Chicago agrees. Thanks for the great information! Thanks for your time…….