The Chess Records Story - BBC

Category: Documentary, Misc. Non-fiction
Language: English
Keywords: Blues Chess Records Chicago Marshall Chess

Written by BBC
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 128 Kbps

A series tracing the story of the Chess Records label and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock ‘n’ roll, narrated by Marshall Chess, son of co-founder Leonard Chess.

In a twenty year period the Chicago label changed the course of music forever. As the home of Muddy Waters and Howling Wolf in the 1950s, Chess welcomed acoustic blues to Chicago and electrified the sound, inspiring a whole generation of musicians in Britain to follow suit. And when Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley turned up wanting to record for the label, brothers Leonard and Phil Chess sowed the seeds of rock’n'roll and built an empire on an incomparable soundtrack of soul, rock, blues and even jazz.

Four episodes of approximately 30 minutes each.

Episode 1:
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Marshall Chess traces the story of the Chess Records label.

Episode 2:
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This episode focuses on the mighty Howlin’ Wolf and the Rolling Stones.

Episode 3:
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This episode focuses on Chuck Berry and songwriter and bass player Willie Dixon.

Episode 4:
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This episode focuses on Little Walter, Buddy Guy and the great Bo Diddley.

First broadcast in July 2008 on BBC Radio 6 Music.