What is the history of Chess Records and its founder, Leonard Chess?”
Chess Records was an American record label based in Chicago, Illinois. They specialized in blues, R&B, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases. Run by brothers Leonard and Phil Chess, the company produced and released many important singles and albums, which are now regarded as central to the rock music “canon.” Musician and critic Cub Koda described Chess Records as “America’s greatest blues label.” Chess Records was based at several different locations on the south side of Chicago, Illinois, the most famous being at 2120 S. Michigan Avenue from c. 1956 to c. 1965., immortalized by British rock group The Rolling Stones in their song “2120 South Michigan”, which was an instrumental recorded at that address during their first U.S. tour in 1964. The Rolling Stones would record at Chess Studios two more times after this. This building is now home to the Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven Foundation. Leonard bought a stake in a record company called Aristocrat Records in 1
