Founded in 1950, Chess Records became the heartbeat of a new American sound that originated in the South and went on to influence rock and roll legends from Chuck Berry to the Rolling Stones. The label is now synonymous with American rhythm and blues.

The story of Chess Records began with Leonard and Phil Chess, Polish immigrants who, after World War II, started recording acts performing at their Club Macombo on Cottage Grove Avenue. In 1947, they formed the Aristocrat Record Corporation, which they later reorganized in 1950 into Chess Records, marking their departure from the nightclub business to focus solely on music. In 1952, they added a subsidiary blues label, Checker Records.

Chess Records quickly became a cornerstone of the music scene in Bronzeville, with its office located at 4750 Cottage Grove. By 1954, it had already made its mark, producing blues and R&B hits by iconic artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Gene Ammons, and Willie Mabon.

In 1956, the Chess brothers ventured into jazz with the Argo label, building a robust team including the talented arranger and composer Willie Dixon and recording engineer Malcolm Chisholm. As rhythm and blues evolved into rock and roll, Chess Records was at the forefront, delivering hits by Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and the Flamingos.

By 1957, Chess Records had consolidated its operations in a new two-story office at 2120 Michigan Avenue. This era saw the company produce legendary hits for artists like Little Milton, Etta James, the Dells, Koko Taylor, the Rolling Stones, and the Yardbirds. Today, this historic building is a Chicago Landmark and houses Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation.

In 1969, Leonard Chess’s son, Marshall, took the reins as company president, though Chess Records was sold to GRT later that same year. MCA continues to release classic and influential recordings from the Chess Records catalog, preserving the legacy of the Chess brothers, who began their journey in Chicago’s South Side bars and ended up shaping the sound of modern music.

The Chess brothers initially entered the music industry by recording live blues performances at their nightclub, the Macomba Lounge. Recognizing the lack of proper recording opportunities for these musicians, they started recording them themselves. This led to the creation of Aristocrat Records in 1947, in partnership with Charles and Evelyn Aron. The label quickly found success, most notably with Muddy Waters, who became a cornerstone of the Chess Records sound.

After purchasing the Arons’ shares in late 1949, Leonard and Phil Chess became the sole owners of Aristocrat Records, which they soon renamed Chess Records. The label thrived in the early days of rhythm and blues and independent record companies, offering music that the major labels couldn’t provide.

With Muddy Waters leading the charge, other blues musicians flocked to Chicago, many joining Waters’ band. Little Walter Jacobs, a brilliant harmonica player, was among the most notable, eventually recording his own hits for Chess Records under the Checker label.

Chess Records also played a crucial role in introducing the world to the music of Howlin’ Wolf, whose early recordings were leased from Sam Phillips before he officially signed with the label. His powerful sound left a lasting influence on future generations of blues and rock musicians.

In addition to blues, Chess Records ventured into vocal groups, jazz, New Orleans music, and gospel, always staying at the forefront of American music. They discovered and nurtured talents like Chuck Berry, whose rock and roll classics remain timeless, and Bo Diddley, whose distinctive rhythm became a Checker Records staple.

The label’s influence extended to jazz, where Argo, later renamed Cadet, became home to jazz greats like Sonny Stitt, Yusef Lateef, and Ramsey Lewis. Chess Records also recorded gospel music, capturing the powerful sermons of Rev. C.L. Franklin and the early gospel recordings of his daughter, Aretha Franklin.

As the label grew, the Chess brothers expanded their team, bringing in veteran producers like Ralph Bass and Billy Davis, who helped shape the soul music that would dominate the 1960s. Under their guidance, artists like Etta James, the Dells, and Billy Stewart reached new heights, creating enduring classics.

In 1993, Willie Dixon’s widow, Marie, purchased the historic Chess Records building at 2120 S. Michigan Avenue and began its restoration. It reopened in 1997 as the home of Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation, ensuring that the legacy of Chess Records and the music it created would continue to inspire future generations.

For more Stories From The 78, follow @tombarnas78 on Instagram and @storiesfromthe78 on TikTok.