Leonard Chess

Leonard Chess (March 12, 1917 - October 16, 1969) was a record company executive and the co-founder of Chess Records. He was influential in the development of electric blues, chicago blues, and rock and roll.

Early life

Chess was born Lejzor Shmuel Czyż in a Jewish community in Motal, Poland (now in Belarus). He and his brother Fiszel, sister Malka and mother arrived in New York in 1928 from Poland. They quickly went to Chicago to join their father, Joseph, who was already engaged in the liquor business. The family name was changed to Chess, with Lejzor becoming Leonard and Fiszel becoming Philip.

Chess Records

Leonard and his brother Phil became involved in the black nightclub scene on the South Side of Chicago in 1938 running a series of jazz clubs, culminating in the Macomba Lounge. In 1947, Leonard became associated with Aristocrat Records, increasing his share in the company over time; eventually he and Phil would acquire complete control. The Chess brothers moved the company away from black pop and jazz and other genres into down home blues music with artists such as Muddy Waters. In 1950, the Chess brothers renamed the company Chess Records. "My Foolish Heart" (Gene Ammons), "Rollin' Stone" (Muddy Waters), and "That's All Right" (Jimmy Rogers) were among the first releases on the new label. Leonard Chess played bass drum on one of Muddy Waters' sessions in 1951.