The Chess Records Story

A series tracing the story of the Chess Records label and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by Marshall Chess, son of co-founder Leonard Chess.

The Chicago-based label was home to many iconic artists, including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry and Sonny Boy Williamson.

Series

Episode

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

20170426 (6M)

Marshall Chess begins the story of the Chicago record label.

20120709

20130709 (6M)
20141101 (6M)
20150709 (6M)
20160424 (6M)
20170426 (6M)

The first part of a series tracing the story Chess Records and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by co-founder Leonard Chess's son Marshall. The Chicago-based label was home to many blues, rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll artists including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and many, many more. The labels output was a big influence onThe Rolling Stones, who also recorded there.

First broadcast in 2000 and repeated as part of BBC Radio 6 Music Celebrates 50 Years of The Rolling Stones.

Marshall Chess begins the story of the Chicago record label.

First broadcast in 2000.

First broadcast in 2000 and repeated as part of our rock 'n' roll season.

20120710

20150710 (6M)
20160425 (6M)
20170427 (6M)

The second part of a series tracing the story Chess Records and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by co-founder Leonard Chess's son Marshall. The Chicago-based label was home to many blues, rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll artists including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and many, many more. This episode includes tales of the mighty Howlin' Wolf and the visit to the Chess studio by the Rolling Stones.

First broadcast in 2000.

First broadcast in 2000 and repeated as part of our rock 'n' roll season.

Marshall Chess concludes the story of the Chicago record label.

20120716

20170427 (6M)

Marshall Chess concludes the story of the Chicago record label.

02 LAST

20120710

20130710 (6M)
20141102 (6M)

First broadcast in 2000.

The second part of a series tracing the story Chess Records and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by co-founder Leonard Chess's son Marshall. The Chicago-based label was home to many blues, rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll artists including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and many, many more. This episode focuses on the mighty Howlin' Wolf and the visit to the Chess studio by the Rolling Stones.

First broadcast 2000 and repeated as part of BBC Radio 6 Music Celebrates 50 Years of The Rolling Stones.

Marshall Chess concludes the story of the Chicago record label.

20080722

A series tracing the story of the Chess Records label and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by Marshall Chess, son of co-founder Leonard Chess.

The Chicago-based label was home to many iconic artists, including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry and Sonny Boy Williamson.

20110503

Marshall Chess begins the story of the Chicago record label.

First broadcast in 2000.

20080723

This episode focuses on the mighty Howlin' Wolf and the visit to the Chess studio by the Rolling Stones.

20110504

Marshall Chess continues the story of the Chicago record.

The second part of a series tracing the story Chess Records and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by co-founder Leonard Chess's son Marshall. The Chicago-based label was home to many blues, rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll artists including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and many, many more. This episode focuses on the mighty Howlin' Wolf and the visit to the Chess studio by the Rolling Stones.

First broadcast 2000.

20080724

This episode focuses on Chuck Berry and songwriter and bass player Willie Dixon.

20110505

The second part of a series tracing the story Chess Records and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by co-founder Leonard Chess's son Marshall. The Chicago-based label was home to many blues, rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll artists including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and many, many more. This episode focuses on Chuck Berry and songwriter and bass player Willie Dixon.

First broadcast in 2000.

Marshall Chess continues the story of the Chicago record.

04 LAST

20080725

This episode focuses on harmonica virtuoso Little Walter, Buddy Guy, the great Bo Diddley and the label's move towards soul music.

04 LAST

20110506

Marshall Chess concludes the story of the Chicago record.

The final part of a series tracing the story Chess Records and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by co-founder Leonard Chess's son Marshall. The Chicago-based label was home to many blues, rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll artists including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and many, many more. This episode focuses on harmonica virtuoso Little Walter, Buddy Guy, the great Bo Diddley and the label's move towards soul music.

First broadcast in 2000.

Episodes

Series	Episode	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
	01		20170426 (6M)	Marshall Chess begins the story of the Chicago record label.
	01	20120709	20130709 (6M) 20141101 (6M) 20150709 (6M) 20160424 (6M) 20170426 (6M)	The first part of a series tracing the story Chess Records and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by co-founder Leonard Chess's son Marshall. The Chicago-based label was home to many blues, rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll artists including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and many, many more. The labels output was a big influence onThe Rolling Stones, who also recorded there. First broadcast in 2000 and repeated as part of BBC Radio 6 Music Celebrates 50 Years of The Rolling Stones. Marshall Chess begins the story of the Chicago record label. First broadcast in 2000. First broadcast in 2000 and repeated as part of our rock 'n' roll season.
	02	20120710	20150710 (6M) 20160425 (6M) 20170427 (6M)	The second part of a series tracing the story Chess Records and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by co-founder Leonard Chess's son Marshall. The Chicago-based label was home to many blues, rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll artists including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and many, many more. This episode includes tales of the mighty Howlin' Wolf and the visit to the Chess studio by the Rolling Stones. First broadcast in 2000. First broadcast in 2000 and repeated as part of our rock 'n' roll season. Marshall Chess concludes the story of the Chicago record label.
	02	20120716	20170427 (6M)	Marshall Chess concludes the story of the Chicago record label.
	02 LAST	20120710	20130710 (6M) 20141102 (6M)	The second part of a series tracing the story Chess Records and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by co-founder Leonard Chess's son Marshall. The Chicago-based label was home to many blues, rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll artists including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and many, many more. This episode includes tales of the mighty Howlin' Wolf and the visit to the Chess studio by the Rolling Stones. First broadcast in 2000. The second part of a series tracing the story Chess Records and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by co-founder Leonard Chess's son Marshall. The Chicago-based label was home to many blues, rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll artists including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and many, many more. This episode focuses on the mighty Howlin' Wolf and the visit to the Chess studio by the Rolling Stones. First broadcast 2000 and repeated as part of BBC Radio 6 Music Celebrates 50 Years of The Rolling Stones. Marshall Chess concludes the story of the Chicago record label.
6M	01	20080722		A series tracing the story of the Chess Records label and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by Marshall Chess, son of co-founder Leonard Chess. The Chicago-based label was home to many iconic artists, including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry and Sonny Boy Williamson.
6M	01	20110503		Marshall Chess begins the story of the Chicago record label. The first part of a series tracing the story Chess Records and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by co-founder Leonard Chess's son Marshall. The Chicago-based label was home to many blues, rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll artists including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and many, many more. First broadcast in 2000.
6M	02	20080723		This episode focuses on the mighty Howlin' Wolf and the visit to the Chess studio by the Rolling Stones.
6M	02	20110504		Marshall Chess continues the story of the Chicago record. The second part of a series tracing the story Chess Records and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by co-founder Leonard Chess's son Marshall. The Chicago-based label was home to many blues, rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll artists including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and many, many more. This episode focuses on the mighty Howlin' Wolf and the visit to the Chess studio by the Rolling Stones. First broadcast 2000.
6M	03	20080724		This episode focuses on Chuck Berry and songwriter and bass player Willie Dixon.
6M	03	20110505		The second part of a series tracing the story Chess Records and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by co-founder Leonard Chess's son Marshall. The Chicago-based label was home to many blues, rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll artists including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and many, many more. This episode focuses on Chuck Berry and songwriter and bass player Willie Dixon. First broadcast in 2000. Marshall Chess continues the story of the Chicago record.
6M	04 LAST	20080725		This episode focuses on harmonica virtuoso Little Walter, Buddy Guy, the great Bo Diddley and the label's move towards soul music.
6M	04 LAST	20110506		Marshall Chess concludes the story of the Chicago record. The final part of a series tracing the story Chess Records and its crucial contribution to the evolution of rock 'n' roll, narrated by co-founder Leonard Chess's son Marshall. The Chicago-based label was home to many blues, rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll artists including Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Etta James, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and many, many more. This episode focuses on harmonica virtuoso Little Walter, Buddy Guy, the great Bo Diddley and the label's move towards soul music. First broadcast in 2000.