Remembering LEONARD CHESS (RIP) on his birthdate.
born Lejzor Shmuel Czyż - Motal, Poland (March 12, 1917 - October 16, 1969).
Record company executive and the co-founder (with brother Phil Chess) of Chess Records.
He could be considered the most important figure in the development and popularization of electric blues and early rock and roll.
Chess Records signed and recorded Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Bo Diddley, Sonny Boy Williamson, Willie Dixon, Little Walter, The Moonglows, The Flamingos, Chuck Berry, Etta James, Koko Taylor, Little Milton... who became the most influential artists of the genre that became Rock n Roll.
Leonard Chess died (age 52) of a heart attack on October 16, 1969, a few months after selling his namesake label to General Recorded Tape.