Blues Chicago & Chess Records

Background: Chicago After WW1 & WW2 there was a large-scale migration of African Americans north from the South. After WW1 & WW2 there was a large-scale migration of African Americans north from the South. Industrial centers (Detroit, Chicago, NYC, Pittsburgh, etc…) were key destination points due to job opportunities (& the hope of decreased racism). Industrial centers (Detroit, Chicago, NYC, Pittsburgh, etc…) were key destination points due to job opportunities (& the hope of decreased racism). This migration also included many blues musicians, often from the Delta region of Mississippi, Louisiana, etc… This migration also included many blues musicians, often from the Delta region of Mississippi, Louisiana, etc…

Differences from South to North The move from the predominantly rural south to the urban north changed the way people lived, worked, and interacted. The move from the predominantly rural south to the urban north changed the way people lived, worked, and interacted. People from all over the South were now within a few miles from each other, exchanging ideas about music, life, food, religion, etc… People from all over the South were now within a few miles from each other, exchanging ideas about music, life, food, religion, etc… We begin to see the electric incarnation of blues as new available technologies, incomes & sounds become part of everyday life. We begin to see the electric incarnation of blues as new available technologies, incomes & sounds become part of everyday life.

Chicago & the 1940’s Chess Records established in late 1940’s by Leonard & Phil Chess. Chess Records established in late 1940’s by Leonard & Phil Chess. The label signed artists such as: Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Elmore James, Robert Nighthawk, & later Chuck Berry. The label signed artists such as: Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Elmore James, Robert Nighthawk, & later Chuck Berry. The Chess label became known as “the” label for urban blues. The Chess label became known as “the” label for urban blues.

Changes in Programming As the market changed, Chess began releasing a more diverse range of music styles: R&B, early doo-wop, & pop music. As the market changed, Chess began releasing a more diverse range of music styles: R&B, early doo-wop, & pop music. The Moonglows & The Flamingos were two early pop groups that foreshadow the doo-wop wave. The Moonglows & The Flamingos were two early pop groups that foreshadow the doo-wop wave. Once again, we see white artists (and labels) taking notice of minority “race” record popularity. Once again, we see white artists (and labels) taking notice of minority “race” record popularity. Cover versions of African American tunes soon hit the airwaves, gaining fame & fortune for white artists while also expanding the audience for African American music. Cover versions of African American tunes soon hit the airwaves, gaining fame & fortune for white artists while also expanding the audience for African American music.

Clarence “Frogman” Henry: Ain’t Got No Home Released in 1956 Released in 1956 This is a great example of the novelty songs Chess Records was releasing (in addition to great records by Waters, Wolf, and others. This is a great example of the novelty songs Chess Records was releasing (in addition to great records by Waters, Wolf, and others.

Chess Rock ‘n’ Roll Artists As Chess expanded its market by adding pop & R&B artists, they also signed two artists that would become prominent Rock ‘n’ Roll stars: Bo Diddley & Chuck Berry. As Chess expanded its market by adding pop & R&B artists, they also signed two artists that would become prominent Rock ‘n’ Roll stars: Bo Diddley & Chuck Berry.

Bo Diddley Born Otha Ellis Bates in Mississippi, Born Otha Ellis Bates in Mississippi, Adopted by the McDaniels family. Adopted by the McDaniels family. Credited as “Ellas McDaniels” on his songwriting credits. Credited as “Ellas McDaniels” on his songwriting credits. The name “Bo Diddley” comes from the name of a folk single-string instrument called the Diddley Bow. The name “Bo Diddley” comes from the name of a folk single-string instrument called the Diddley Bow.

Style & Sound characteristics Distinctive rhythmic pattern derived from African traditional music. The “Bo Diddley Beat” Distinctive rhythmic pattern derived from African traditional music. The “Bo Diddley Beat” Use of maracas & Latin influenced percussion (tom tom drums). Use of maracas & Latin influenced percussion (tom tom drums). Tremolo guitar sounds Tremolo guitar sounds

Bo Diddley: Bo Diddley (1955) Bo’s first hit was “Bo Diddley”, originally called “Uncle John” Bo’s first hit was “Bo Diddley”, originally called “Uncle John” Listen for the rhythm & overall sound: Listen for the rhythm & overall sound: No chord changes No chord changes Voice, percussion, distinctive guitar sound, & signature rhythm. Voice, percussion, distinctive guitar sound, & signature rhythm. The “Bo Diddley” beat was used by countless rock musicians after him, including Buddy Holly on “Not Fade Away” The “Bo Diddley” beat was used by countless rock musicians after him, including Buddy Holly on “Not Fade Away”

Bo Diddley: I’m a Man Released in 1955 Released in 1955 Is this the same song that we just saw Muddy Waters doing in “The Last Waltz”? Is this the same song that we just saw Muddy Waters doing in “The Last Waltz”? What do you hear? What do you hear? Guitar – but with effects? Guitar – but with effects? Drums – but also more Latin percussion? Drums – but also more Latin percussion? Bass Bass Piano? Piano?

Bo Diddley: Who Do You Love? Released in 1956 Released in 1956 Another version of the famous “Bo Diddley” beat Another version of the famous “Bo Diddley” beat We’ll hear this again when Buddy Holly uses it in his song “Not Fade Away” We’ll hear this again when Buddy Holly uses it in his song “Not Fade Away” How is this song different from the last? How is this song different from the last?

Chuck Berry Born 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri Born 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri Spent time in reform school, held a string of jobs, always played guitar Spent time in reform school, held a string of jobs, always played guitar Joined “Sir John’s Trio” w/pianist Johnny Johnson in Joined “Sir John’s Trio” w/pianist Johnny Johnson in Chuck was very aware of his audience being mixed & this affected how he performed & wrote music. Chuck was very aware of his audience being mixed & this affected how he performed & wrote music.

Chuck Berry Style A fan of many diverse styles of music, Chuck’s guitar style was a synthesis of jazz, country, electric blues, country, jump blues sax, & boogie-woogie piano). A fan of many diverse styles of music, Chuck’s guitar style was a synthesis of jazz, country, electric blues, country, jump blues sax, & boogie-woogie piano). Chuck’s lyrics were aimed at the teenage audience & “celebrated the rock audience & rock ‘n’ roll itself”. Chuck’s lyrics were aimed at the teenage audience & “celebrated the rock audience & rock ‘n’ roll itself”. Had a clearly enunciated singing style that was a result of a conscious adjustment of his pronunciation & delivery to suit the style of songs he sang. Had a clearly enunciated singing style that was a result of a conscious adjustment of his pronunciation & delivery to suit the style of songs he sang.

Chuck’s Influences Carl Hogan (guitarist for Louis Jordan): jump blues Carl Hogan (guitarist for Louis Jordan): jump blues Muddy Waters: Electric Chicago blues Muddy Waters: Electric Chicago blues Nat “King” Cole: swing jazz, smooth singing style. Nat “King” Cole: swing jazz, smooth singing style. Often spoke of liking “hillbilly” music & would often play “hillbilly” tunes in concert. Often spoke of liking “hillbilly” music & would often play “hillbilly” tunes in concert. Again, we see a combo of Country & Blues as essential to early R&R styles. Again, we see a combo of Country & Blues as essential to early R&R styles.

Chuck Berry Moved to Chicago in 1955, signed w/Chess who liked his crossover combo of “black hillbilly” music (almost exactly opposite of Elvis!). Moved to Chicago in 1955, signed w/Chess who liked his crossover combo of “black hillbilly” music (almost exactly opposite of Elvis!). First hit with “Maybelline”: listen for country influences (bass line, rhythms, lyrics), does it sound a little like rockabilly? First hit with “Maybelline”: listen for country influences (bass line, rhythms, lyrics), does it sound a little like rockabilly?

Maybelline How is it different from rockabilly? How is it different from rockabilly? More pronounced Drum sound (Chess drummer Jasper Thomas) More pronounced Drum sound (Chess drummer Jasper Thomas) Johnny Johnson’s piano Johnny Johnson’s piano Willie Dixon on bass Willie Dixon on bass All 3 were staples on early blues Chess records. All 3 were staples on early blues Chess records. Distorted guitar sound, different from the clean, “twangy” guitar sounds of rockabilly, more like blues guitar sounds. Distorted guitar sound, different from the clean, “twangy” guitar sounds of rockabilly, more like blues guitar sounds.

Chuck Berry & Songwriting Maybelline was credited to Berry, Alan Freed, & Russ Fratto. Maybelline was credited to Berry, Alan Freed, & Russ Fratto. This was a variation of “Payola” where people not a part of the songwriting process were given partial ownership to assure radio play. This was a variation of “Payola” where people not a part of the songwriting process were given partial ownership to assure radio play. Chuck did not get paid in full for many of his songs and as a result is now bitter about the music business. Chuck did not get paid in full for many of his songs and as a result is now bitter about the music business.

Berry continued Chuck’s later 50’s hits showed a strong R&B influence: Chuck’s later 50’s hits showed a strong R&B influence: “Brown-eyed Handsome Man” 1956 “Brown-eyed Handsome Man” 1956 “Too Much Monkey Business” 1956 “Too Much Monkey Business” 1956 “Memphis” 1958, recorded in Berry’s home studio “Memphis” 1958, recorded in Berry’s home studio Berry’s lyrics told a story, & he somehow managed to connect w/a very young audience despite being older than other rock’n’rollers. Berry’s lyrics told a story, & he somehow managed to connect w/a very young audience despite being older than other rock’n’rollers. “Roll Over Beethoven” 1956 became one of rock’s earliest anthems, poking fun at older genres (and generations?). The guitar intro became a Berry signature. “Roll Over Beethoven” 1956 became one of rock’s earliest anthems, poking fun at older genres (and generations?). The guitar intro became a Berry signature.

Brown-eyed Handsome Man Released in 1956 Released in 1956 Notice the stronger R&B influence on this one Notice the stronger R&B influence on this one What did Chuck really mean by “brown- eyed”? What did Chuck really mean by “brown- eyed”? Is this another narrative Chuck Berry song? Is this another narrative Chuck Berry song?

Memphis Released in 1958 Released in 1958 This was recorded in Chuck’s home studio This was recorded in Chuck’s home studio He was aiming for a larger audience with this one He was aiming for a larger audience with this one Listen to the lyrics, what’s it about? Listen to the lyrics, what’s it about?

Roll Over Beethoven Released in 1956 Released in 1956 Listen for the guitar intro – its one of Chuck’s trademarks. Listen for the guitar intro – its one of Chuck’s trademarks. This is considered one of rock’s first “anthems” – why? This is considered one of rock’s first “anthems” – why? The song is a celebration of a new musical genre, & pokes fun at the adults who ‘freak out’ over it. The song is a celebration of a new musical genre, & pokes fun at the adults who ‘freak out’ over it.

Sweet Little Sixteen Released in 1958 Released in 1958 Chuck was chasing the teenage market with this song Chuck was chasing the teenage market with this song What the song about? What the song about? A kid who is so obsessed with getting an autograph that she missed the show – a reference to American Bandstand A kid who is so obsessed with getting an autograph that she missed the show – a reference to American Bandstand

School Days Released in 1957 Released in 1957 Another song aimed at the teenage market Another song aimed at the teenage market Listen to how Chuck effortlessly goes through the entire day in the life of a school-going teenager Listen to how Chuck effortlessly goes through the entire day in the life of a school-going teenager Does Chuck use his guitar in a ‘Call & Response’ fashion? Does Chuck use his guitar in a ‘Call & Response’ fashion?

“Johnny B. Goode” 1958 This was Berry’s BIG hit. Listen for: This was Berry’s BIG hit. Listen for: Berry signature guitar intro Berry signature guitar intro Typical lead guitar riffs Typical lead guitar riffs Boogie-derived rock piano style like J.L. Lewis & others. Boogie-derived rock piano style like J.L. Lewis & others. Chuck was incredibly important for his crossover success. Chuck was incredibly important for his crossover success.

Chuck’s Mistake Maintained popularity/success throughout the 1950’s & had TV movie roles & big concerts like A. Freed’s Paramount shows in Brooklyn. Maintained popularity/success throughout the 1950’s & had TV movie roles & big concerts like A. Freed’s Paramount shows in Brooklyn. 1959: arrested for “transporting a minor across state lines for immoral purposes” 1959: arrested for “transporting a minor across state lines for immoral purposes” The truth? Berry befriended a native girl in Juarez, Mexico & offered her a job at his St. Louis nightclub. The truth? Berry befriended a native girl in Juarez, Mexico & offered her a job at his St. Louis nightclub. She accepted, though only 14 & a former prostitute. When she was later arrested in the U.S. for prostitution, she implicated Berry. She accepted, though only 14 & a former prostitute. When she was later arrested in the U.S. for prostitution, she implicated Berry.

The Trial Berry’s first trial was “so racist it had to be thrown out”. It brought out all the prejudices of the time, towards African Americans & rock ‘n’ roll Berry’s first trial was “so racist it had to be thrown out”. It brought out all the prejudices of the time, towards African Americans & rock ‘n’ roll Berry served 2 years, but his popularity was unharmed, especially in Britain. Remained a huge star extremely influential to early rock ‘n’ roll. Berry served 2 years, but his popularity was unharmed, especially in Britain. Remained a huge star extremely influential to early rock ‘n’ roll. 1972: #1 hit with “My Ding-a-ling” 1972: #1 hit with “My Ding-a-ling” Although he’s had trouble w/the IRS & others, he still tours, remains famous & revered for his contributions. Although he’s had trouble w/the IRS & others, he still tours, remains famous & revered for his contributions.