David Livingston/Getty ImagesPhil Chess, co-founder of famed Chicago-based blues label Chess Records, died Tuesday at the age of 95. His daughter Pam told the Chicago Sun-Times that her father passed away at his ranch in Tucson, Arizona.
Chess and his brother Leonard, who were Jewish immigrants born in Poland, started the label in 1950. One of Chess Records early releases, 1951’s “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats, which featured Ike Turner, is considered a major influence on rock ‘n’ roll. Among the many famous musicians who recorded for Chess were Chuck Berry and such legendary blues artists as Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf and Etta James, among many others.
The Rolling Stones‘ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were among the British music fans who as teenagers sought out Chess Records releases and were inspired to form their own blues-influenced bands. In 1964, The Stones recorded several songs at the label’s studio, including the instrumental “2120 South Michigan Avenue,” which was named after the address of Chess headquarters.
Blues great Buddy Guy told the Chicago Sun-Times that Phil and Leonard Chess helped make Chicago “the blues capital of the world.” He noted that the Chess brothers were cuttin’ the type of music nobody else was paying attention to — Muddy, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, Sonny Boy [Williamson], Jimmy Rogers…and now you can take a walk down State Street today and see a portrait of Muddy that’s 10 stories tall.”
Phil’s relatives told the newspaper that a private service for him will be held in Tucson. Leonard Chess died in 1969 at the age of 52.
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