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  Features4 days ago

  The Top 10 Best Chess Rock’n’Roll Records Ever

  Ten records from the label and artists that helped define early rock’n’roll.

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  Features2 weeks ago

  Wading Into Muddy Waters’ Blues-Rock Hybrid ‘Electric Mud’

  In 1968, Muddy Waters took the blues in a new direction with 'Electric Mud' and managed to influence the likes of Chuck D to Jimi Hendrix in the process.

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  Features2 weeks ago

  ‘Chuck Berry On Stage’: A Rock’n’Roll Original Plays To The Crowd

  Chuck’s live LP entered the UK chart on October 5, 1963, on its way to becoming his first Top 10 album there.

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  Features2 weeks ago

  ‘Moanin’ In The Moonlight’: Howlin’ Wolf’s Primal Blues Scream

  A collection of 50s singles, ‘Moanin’ In The Moonlight’ brought all of Howlin’ Wolf’s best qualities together: “a tail dragon with a voice like an angel”.

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  Features2 weeks ago

  ‘Juke’: The Rolling Stones’ Harmonica Hero Little Walter Rules The Joint

  Credited to Little Walter & his Night Cats, the song was the first chart entry by the singer and distinctive harmonica man.

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  Features2 weeks ago

  ‘Walking The Blues’: Maestro Willie Dixon Gets A Hit Of His Own

  The prolific blues writer had his only hit in his own name with a song he didn’t write himself.

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  Features1 month ago

  ‘I Want To Know’: Sugar Pie DeSanto Starts Her Soulful Mission

  A treasured Chess Records artist made her R&B chart debut on September 5, 1960.

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  Features2 months ago

  ‘Five By Five’: When The Rolling Stones Sung The Blues For Chess

  Recorded at Chess Studios, this EP paid homage to their blues roots and established their sound.

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  Features2 months ago

  Etta James Makes The US Album Chart, ‘At Last’

  The patience of the young R&B singer was rewarded on August 21, 1961, with an LP named after one of most famous songs.

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  Features2 months ago

  ‘Maybellene’: Chuck Berry Makes Up For Lost Time With Seminal Debut Hit

  The first hit by the rock’n’roll originator resides proudly in both the Grammy and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.

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  Features2 months ago

  Behind Chuck Berry’s Idiosyncratic Take On The Blues

  Though a groundbreaking songwriter, when the idiosyncratic Chuck Berry took on the blues, he did it his own way – as an intriguing 1983 compilation proves.

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  Features2 months ago

  The ‘Charles Berryn’ Tapes: When Young Chuck Berry Went Incognito

  For Chuck's first recording session, he tried to hide his identity from his disapproving and highly religious father.

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  Features2 months ago

  Best Chess Blues Records: An Essential Top 10

  Chess Records laid the foundation for rock’n’roll, and its influence can still be felt today, as this guide to the 10 best Chess blues records shows.

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  Features2 months ago

  ‘Come On’: Chuck Berry Sings And The Rolling Stones Listen

  The song wasn't a chart entry for Chuck, but would win notoriety when the up-and-coming Rolling Stones chose to cover it as their first single in 1963.