Leonard Chess
Before the Blues Hall of Fame instituted a separate category in 1994 to honor those involved in the business, production, promotion, and documentation of the blues, only one non-performer had been elected: Leonard Chess, in [...]
Phil Chess
Phil Chess, younger brother of Leonard Chess, was a key figure at Chess Records throughout the label's 19-year tenure under the brothers' ownership. The Chess musical empire began at Chicago nightspots, primarily the Macomba where [...]
Lillian McMurry
Every record producer dreams that the music he or she helps create will become timeless. But very few producers can claim to have made 'Classic' records. In the blues world, no one can surpass the [...]
Theresa Needham
Great Blues clubs stand as the foundation for every great Blues city. In Chicago Theresa's (also called T's basement) was the place to be since it's opening in December of 1949. Theresa Needham (birthname: McLaurin) [...]
Billy Boy Arnold
Billy Boy Arnold emerged as the youngest recording star among Chicago's impressive corps of blues harmonica players in the 1950s, when he cut a series of invigorating blues for Vee-Jay Records, including "I Wish You [...]
The World Don’t Owe Me Nothing, by David ‘Honeyboy’ Edwards
The Blues has been described in many ways, but to Honeyboy Edwards it is 'a leading thing,' an irresistible feeling that has called him on - away from the home, away from the comfort, away [...]
Chicago Bound — Jimmy Rogers (Chess, 1970)
Jimmy Rogers recorded for Chess from 1950 to 1959, coming up with a number of classics that have been performed by blues bands ever since, but during much of his recording heyday he was also [...]
Otis Spann Is the Blues — Otis Spann with Robert Lockwood, Jr. (Candid, 1961)
Otis Spann was heralded as the ultimate Chicago blues band pianist, but he could be a compelling performer by himself or, as on his landmark Candid LP, with just a guitarist. Robert Lockwood is, as [...]
Boss of the Blues — Big Joe Turner (Atlantic, 1956)
Atlantic Records co-owner Ahmet Ertegun, a blues lover, co-produced most of Turner’s rocking blues and R&B hits for Atlantic in the 1950s, but his brother Nesuhi Ertegun leaned more towards jazz. In Big Joe Turner [...]
Hound Dog Taylor & the Houserockers — Hound Dog Taylor & the Houserockers (Alligator, 1971)
Hound Dog Taylor & the HouseRockers was the album that launched the “Genuine Houserocking Music” phenomenon of Alligator Records in Chicago, and arguably Hound Dog Taylor has yet to be surpassed as the champion of [...]