12 Facts About Chess Records

Chess Records was an American record company established in 1950 in Chicago, specializing in blues and rhythm and blues.

The Chess catalogue is owned by Universal Music Group and managed by Geffen Records.

Chess Records was based at several locations on the south side of Chicago, initially at South Cottage Grove Ave.

In 1951, the Chess brothers began an association with Sam Phillips, of the Memphis Recording Service, the forerunner of Sun Records.

Many songs created by Chess Records artists were later covered by many rock artists, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, the Beach Boys and Eric Clapton.

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In 1958, Chess began producing their first LP records which included such albums as The Best of Muddy Waters, Best of Little Walter, and Bo Diddley.

In 1962, Chess Records was sued by Peacock Records for recording their artists Reverend Robert Ballinger and the Five Blind Boys of Mississippi.

In 1969, Chess Records established a subsidiary label in the UK, Middle Earth Records, which was distributed by Pye Records.

In 1969, the Chess Records brothers sold the label to General Recorded Tape for $6.

In October 1969, Leonard Chess died and by 1972, the only part of Chess Records still operating in Chicago was the recording studio, Ter-Mar Studios.

Some other artists who contributed to the legacy of Chess Records were the Flamingos, the Moonglows, Fontella Bass, Billy Stewart, the Dells and the Ramsey Lewis Trio.

Cadillac Chess Records was directed by Darnell Martin and features an ensemble cast including Adrien Brody, Mos Def, Beyonce Knowles and Jeffrey Wright.