Marshall Chess
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Marshall Chess (born 13 March 1942, Chicago, Illinois-) is the son and nephew of the founders of Chess Records, the Chicago based independent record label that first recorded an unprecedented list of African-American, blues and early rock and roll artists such as: Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Bo Diddley, Sonny Boy Williamson, Memphis Slim, John Lee Hooker, Rufus Thomas, Memphis Minnie, James Elmore, Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry, Etta James and Buddy Guy, among others.
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[edit] The Blues
Leonard Chess and and his brother Phillip, were two Polish American immigrants who in 1947 had purchased part of an independent record label called Aristocrat Records. Within a few short years the label was renamed after the family's Americanized sir name 'Chess' and quickly produced a list of American blues artists that would come to be regarded as the greatest collection of the genre in recorded history.
Marshall learned every aspect of the record business while working for sixteen years with the founders of Chess Records; his father Leonard and his uncle Phil doing everything from pressing records and loading trucks to producing over 100 Chess Records projects and eventually heading up the label as President after the GRT acquisition in 1969. In the late 1960’s Marshall also ran his own record label Cadet Concept, a division of Chess Records. He created and produced the Rotary Connection, which became the springboard for Minnie Ripperton’s career. He signed John Klemmer and created a new format which was heralded as the first Jazz Fusion album, “Blowin’ Gold”. He also created and produced the controversial blues album “Electric Mud” which expanded Muddy Waters audience to white America.
[edit] Rolling Stones records
Departing from Chess Records in 1970 after the death of his father, Marshall was hired as the founding president of Rolling Stones Records, a vanity record label for the English rock group he had known since the mid 1960s when the band had used Chess studios in Chicago to record songs while touring the United States. He was an active executive manager, touring with the band, and being involved with record production as well as outside business interests. He helped create the Rolling Stones famous tongue and lip logo and was involved as executive producer on seven Rolling Stone albums during the 1970’s. He also acquired a heroin habit that undermined his health and leadership in the company. In 1977, when Keith Richards had been arrested for heroin possession in Toronto, Mick Jagger replaced Chess as head of Rolling Stones records with Earl McGrath on the the advice Atlantic Records head Ahmet Ertegün, the Stones newly signed record distribution partner.[citation needed]
As well as music, Chess produced three films in the 1970s: The Legend of Bo Diddley, Ladies and Gentlemen: the Rolling Stones, and the unrated, unreleased concert tour documentary Cocksucker Blues by Robert Frank.
[edit] 1980s and today
During the 1980’s and 1990’s Marshall produced projects for both Sire Records and Island Records. He also produced many rap records at the beginning of the rap generation. He worked with rap star KRS ONE developing an audio comic book project "Break The Chain" for Marvel Comics.
In 1984, Marshall Chess became a partner in the famous blues and rock publishing company Arc Music, which he began actively heading in 1992. More recently he finished a film project called “Godfathers and Son’s” directed by Marc Leven, for the PBS series The Blues, produced by Martin Scorsese. In the film, Marshall produces a hip hop version of the classic Chess track “Mannish Boy” featuring rappers Chuck D and Common recording with members of the Electric Mud band.
This past year along with his son, Jamar they saw the creation of their own all-digital music label, Musica de la Calle. The objective of the company is to release music quickly, by passing the traditional production delays. Through a digital platform Musica de la Calle have the ability to offer downloads. Jamar Chess co-founder of Musica de la Calle, and grandson of Leonard Chess, is forming a nucleus of artists and producers that will drive the artistic direction of the company. He believes the artists are constantly coming up with new tracks and bringing in collaborators to work with our other artists. "It’s developing into a big family sound."
The roots and experience of Musica de la Calle come out of a relationship with the legendary Arc Music Group, the publishing division of Chess and Vee Jay Records, which was founded in 1953.
[edit] External links
- PBS American Roots Music. Marshall Chess
