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  The Cleveland Golden Echoes | Numerogroup | tc342 The Cleveland Golden Echos are a gospel choir who formed in 1948, first as the Five Echoes in 1948 and featured Albert Scott, Robert Lewis, Jessie Allen, Eddie Patrick, Dan Wilson, Jimmie Hughes, Fred Jordan, and John Reid. They had a minor success on Checker Records, which chose not to handle a follow-up to their first LP. The group was active for many years.

  The Clefs (1955) | Uncle Marv | tc369 The Clefs, an obscure vocal group, were Scotty Mansfield, Pavel Bess, Frank Newman, Fred Council, Frank Motley, Leo Carter and Leroy Flack of Washington DC.  Chess was sent a demo of the group in early 1952 which resulted in the recording issued on Chess 1521, “We three”/”Ride on”. The recording was a regional hit in the Chicago area. The group went on to record for the Peacock label in Houston.

  Francis Clay | Contributed Photo/Quad City Times | tc762 Blues drummer Francis Clay was born in Rock Island, Illinois, on November 16, 1923. He started professional playing when he was 15 and became one of the original members of the James Cotton Band. He went on to play with jazz, rock and blues luminaries including Jimi Hendrix, Charlie Parker and John Lee Hooker.  Mr Clay, who became closely associated with the annual San Francisco Blues Festival, died in San Francisco, California on January 21, 2008.

  Tony Clarke | Public domain | tc033 Ralph Thomas Williams (Tony Clarke) was born on April 13, 1940.  There is some dispute over his real name.  As well as a singer, he was a successful song writer for Chess, contributing songs for Etta James, David Ruffin and The Vibrations. He recorded about a dozen singles for Chess.  Tony Clarke  died on August 28, 1971 when he was shot by his estranged wife.  He was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame on 4 October 2015.

Lucky Clark was a singer from Shreveport, Louisiana, who signed with and recorded two singles for Chess in 1961 on the recommendation of singer Dale Hawkins. No further information is known about Mr Clark.

  Charles Clark | Discogs | tc1019 Blues song writer and singer Charles Clark was associated with Willie Dixon, Cobra Records and Chess Records. His songs include "Pushover" (with Billy Davis, for Etta James). Charles Clark was from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and had been singer with a doo wop group called The Daps in 1956. His current whereabouts are unknown.

Buck Clarke | Copyright control | tc629 Jazz percussionist William “Buck” Clarke was born in Washington DC on October 2, 1933 and died in Los Angeles on October 11, 1988. He is associated with Freddie Hubbard, Herbie Hancock, Les McCann, Jimmy Smith and others.

  The Chessmen (San Diego) | Restored By Google Archive The US Chess single by The Chessmen issued on Chess 1950 in the mid 1960s is  The Chessmen, a group from San Diego, California, which included vocalist Walter Scott and keyboardist George Semper, who are both credited on the label; Robert Patten, guitar; Tommy Carrigan, drums; Richard Dass, guitar; Tommy Carter, bass. There were a number of other groups at different times using the same band name.

  Eric Clapton | British Broadcasting Corporation | tc717 Rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE was born in Ripley, Surrey on 30 March 1945 and came to prominence as a member of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, the Yardbirds and the supergroup Cream. He is now regarded as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time.

  Bobby Cisco | Restored by Google Archive | tc576 Rockabilly singer and composer Bobby Cisco, known as the Singing Farm Boy, was born Robert W. Sisco in Bolivar, Tennessee, on 24 August, 1932 and died in Munster, Indiana on 17 July 2005. His only Chess release was Go Go Go/Tall dark and handsome man, issued on US Chess 1650 in 1957.

  Savannah Churchill | DVRBS | tc140 The very first official release on the Argo label was “Let Me Be The First To Know” by Savannah Churchill, who was born on August 21, 1920 and died on April 19, 1974.  She was a successful American singer of pop, jazz, and blues music in the 1940s and 1950s. Her real name was Savannah Valentine. Wikipedia records: “Tragedy struck later in 1956 to end her career. She was singing on stage in a club, when a drunken man fell on top of her from a balcony above, causing severe debilitating injuries from which she would never fully recover. Although she did some recording in 1960, her health declined greatly until her death in 1974, at the age of 53.

  Christland singers LP Cover | Copyright control | tc269 The Christland Singers are a gospel group which was formed in 1949 by the Rev. Leroy Taylor, Jimmy Johnson and Dr. R. H. Harris, who were also former members of the Original Soul Stirrers. The group have been recording since 1950. The group is still performing.  The group is famous, and has won many awards. Past members have included the Rev. J.P. Washington, Jimmy Johnson, Dr. R.H. Harris, the Rev. Gatemouth Moore, Johnny Chandler, Roe Dino Harvey Young and Clarence Smith.

  Jodie Christian | Tiny Mix Tapes | tc704 Jazz pianist Jodie Christian was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 2, 1932. He was a pioneer of bebop and free jazz. Christian was one of the founders of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians with pianist Muhal Richard Abrams, drummer Steve McCall, and composer Phil Cohran. Jodie Christian  died in Chicago on February 13, 2012. 

  22002 | Phil Chess | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Fiszel Czyż (Philip Chess) was born in Motal, Poland (now Belarus) on 27 March 1921. The family moved to Chicago in 1928.  Mr Chess served with the US Forces in World War 2. After leaving the Army in 1946, he joined his brother Leonard in running a night club. In 1948 Leonard became a partner in Aristocrat Records, Phil joined him in becoming a partner in 1950, and Aristocrat became Chess Records.  Phil Chess retired in 1972 and went to live in Tucson, Arizona, where he died at home age 95 on 18 October 2016.

  22003 | Marshall Chess | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Record Producer Marshall Chess was born in Chicago, USA on 13th March 1942. He is the son of Leonard Chess and became President of Chess Records when it was acquired by GRT in 1969. He then went to work for The Rolling Stones. He became an independent producer for other recording companies and in 1984 became a partner in ARC Music. He is also a radio presenter on Sirius Satellite Radio.

  Little Walter and Leonard Chess | Cornell | 22004 Record company executive Lejzor Szmuel Czyż (Leonard Chess) was born in Motal, Poland (now in Belarus) on 12 March, 1917.  The family arrived in New York in 1928 and joined their father in Chicago. By 1938 Leonard and his brother Phil were involved in running night clubs. In 1947 Leonard acquired a share in Aristocrat Records, which was renamed Chess in 1950. Leonard plays drums on some of the early Chess sessions.  Leonard became the dynamo behind Chess Records, setting new standards in artist development, production, promotion, networking and deal making.  Mr Chess died in Chicago, US on 16 October 1969, from a heart attack, aged only 52. In 1987 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

  Clifton Chenier | Musicbloodline | tc278 Cajun musician Clifton Chenier was born in Opelousas, Louisiana  on June 25, 1925.  His music and sound was highly distinctive. His recording career started in 1954.  Clifton Chenier toured in many countries.   His diabetes unfortunately led to an amputation. He  died in Lafayette, Louisiana, on December 12, 1987 of diabetes-related kidney disease.  In 1989, Chenier was inducted posthumously into the Blues Hall of Fame.

  Christine Chatman | Collection of Preston Lauterbach | tc255 Accordionist, pianist and singer Christine Chatman recorded a number of sides for Aristocrat in the late 1940s. No biographical detail is available for her. There was a report that she was expelled from a musician’s union after not paying her band. This is now known to be completely untrue.  After recording for Aristocrat she moved to Los Angeles in the early 1950s, then faded into obscurity.

  Bobby Charles | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images | tc146 Robert Charles Guidry was born on February 21, 1938.  He will forever be known as the originator of “See you later alligator”. When he was 15 he became familiar with the music of Fats Domino and decided to pursue music as a career. He led a local group called The Cardinals. Unlike many, he was lucky enough to write a hit for his idol (“Walking to New Orleans”) as well as hits for Clarence Frogman Henry (“But I do”). In the 1990s Fats Domino recorded a duet of Walking with him. His home was destroyed by Hurricane Rita in 2005 and he moved back to his birth town.  Bobby Charles died on January 14, 2010, when he collapsed at home.

  The Chantels | Doo Wop/Eklablog | tc 655 Pioneering singing group formed in The Bronx, New York, The Chantels were Arlene Smith (b. October 5, 1941), Millicent “Sonia” Goring Wilson (b. 1940), Renée Minus White (b. 1943), Jackie Landry Jackson (b. May 22, 1941 – d. December 23, 1997) and Lois Harris (b. 1940).

This release on Chess 1636 has a somewhat odd and foggy history. The Chanceteers’ name gives a clue; they are a backing group from Chance Records, a small doo-wop and gospel label founded by Art Sheridan which had a short run before winding up in 1954. Two Chance acts, The Moonglows and The Flamingos, were subsequently signed to Chess. The investors behind Chance decided to invest instead in Vee-Jay Records. The line up on the recording is not known. On some Chance labels the same recording is identified as being by the Wally Hayes Combo. The group was also known as The Calumet City Boys. Wally Hayes is thought to have been the Chicago based blues drummer Wallace Hayes. Although the recording was issued by Chess in 1956, the recording is thought to date from 1950 or 1951 and was first issued on Chance 1107.

  Eddie Chamblee | Be Bop Wino | tc492 Premium label recording artiste Edwin “Eddie” Leon Chamblee was born in Atlanta, Georgia on 24 February 1920. He was nicknamed Eddie “Long Gone” Chamblee and was a tenor and alto saxophonist and occasional vocalist who moved to Chicago in his youth. He studied law at Chicago State University. From 1941 to 1946 he played in US Forces bands. He is closely associated with Lionel Hampton, Amos Millburn and Lowell Fulsom. Eddie Chamblee died from natural causes in New York on 1 May 1999. 

The Challengers were a vocal group from Cleveland signed to Harvey Fuqua's record labels, then transferred from Chess to Motown in Detroit, the lead singer is thought to have been Ann Bogan. The 1960s British group The Challengers from East Anglia are not the same group.

  Charles Chalmers | Charlie Chalmers.com | tc387 Saxophonist, back up singer, songwriter and producer Charles “Charlie” Chalmers is best known for his songs, many of which have been very successful. They include “Let’s Stay together”; “Respect,” “Chain of Fools”, “Natural Woman”, “Son of a Preacher Man”, “Mustang Sally” and “Land of a Thousand Dances.”   He was born in  Memphis, Tennessee  and attended South Side High School, then went to Memphis State University but quit early to tour with Jerry Lee Lewis and Charlie Rich. He can be heard playing saxophone on Willie Mitchell's "Soul Serenade" and he arranged and sang in background vocals on Al Green's "Let's Stay Together". 

  Leonard Caston Jr. | X | tc818 Songwriter, pianist, vocalist and record producer Leonard Caston Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 13 November 1943.  After serving in the US Army, he joined the vocal group The Radiants, who were signed to Chess Records. He adapted a gospel tune into “I had a talk with my man last night” which became a hit for Mitty Collier.  In 1965 he left The Radiants to become a full time session musician and producer at Chess. He plays piano on Fontella Bass’ “Rescue Me”. He also worked with Jan Bradley, Laura Lee and Bobby McClure. In 1967 he rejoined The Radiants and wrote and produced their final hit, “Hold on”. In 1968 he was recruited by Motown Records and went to work for them, notably on the Supremes’ “Nathan Jones”, Eddie Kendricks’ “Keep on truckin’” (that’s Caston on piano again), and many others.  In the 1980s he and his wife moved to California and became pastors in Los Angeles. In the 2000’s he became active in recording again, ...

  Alvin Cash | Charly | tc430 Singer and actor Alvin Welch (Alvin Cash) was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 15, 1939. He is associated with producer Andre Williams. He is best known for his recordings for another Chicago label, One-der-ful, and especially the song “The twine time” which was very popular in the UK’s Northern Soul scene. "The Crawlers" were his brothers, but for the recording of "Twine Time" a band called The Niteliters provided the backing. He also acted in some films made during the 1970s. Alvin Cash  died in Chicago, Illinois, on November 21, 1999 of ulcer complications.  

  Calvin Carter | Copyright Control | tc1017 Record producer, record label manager and song writer Calvin Tollie Carter was born in Gary, Indiana on 27 May 1925. In 1953 he became A&R man for Vee Jay Records, founded by his sister Vivian Carter and her husband James Bracken. When Vee Jay ran into difficulties he moved to Liberty Records to run their Minit label. Mr Carter died in Oak Forest, Illinois, on 9 July 1986.

  Barbara Carr | Dragan Tasic | tc072 Barbara Jean Carr was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on January 9, 1941 and is a soul and blues singer who recorded for Chess for a short time in the 1960s. Oliver Sain chose her as a replacement for Fontella Bass.  She is best known for her recording of “Don’t knock love”. She recorded sixteen albums and received awards which include the Living Blues Readers Award as ‘Female Blues Artist of the Year’ and was been nominated for a Blues Music Award in the ‘Soul Blues Female Artist’ category. Barbara Carr died in Maryville, Illinois, on 15 April 2026.

  Jeffrey M. Carp | Copyright control/Restored by Google | tc716 Blues Harmonica player Jeffrey M. Carp was born in New York City on July 6, 1948.  He played harmonica on numerous charting blues albums. He was also for a period of time, a side man in Earl Hooker’s band. He is associated with Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters and Sam Lay. Mr Carp died by drowning during a boating accident on January 1, 1973.

Argo Record’s answer to The Impressions, The Carltons were James Leon Diggs, Larry Bell and Jerry Norris. Leon Diggs was already contracted to Chess (with Richard Dunbar) as the Knight Brothers. The first single to be released under the name The Carltons was “Ooo Baby” b/w “Can’t You Hear the Beat,” in May 1964 (Argo 5470). There were other releases but they did not succeed and the act was abandoned.

  The Capitol Showband | Irish Showbands | tc177 Argo Records believed in variety, with issues from many strands of music and from many sources; in 1965 they issued a single, “Born To Be With You/Far, Far Away” on Argo 5502. The Capitol Showband were an Irish showband who were at the peak of their success, having been chosen to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest (Ireland’s first). The recording was licenced from Pye Records in the UK. The recording was produced by Phil Coulter. The Showband’s lead singer was Butch Moore and the Showband had already appeared on American television, having toured in 1961. Butch Moore died of a heart attack in April 2001.

Jackie Glenn Cannon was a country-rock and roll singer who made two recordings in the early 1960s, then faded into obscurity. Jackie Cannon was born in 1939 in Palmer, Tennessee. Her first record was made for the small Chan label in Oklahoma and was quickly leased to Chess for national distribution. No photograph of Jackie Cannon has been located.  Jackie Cannon died in Jasper, Tennessee, on 5 January 2019.

  The Campus Singers LP cover | Copyright control | tc450 In 1963 there was a boom in folk music and protest music, and Argo signed two young men from Kalamazoo called The Campus Singers. They were Ted Kistler and Jim Brignall. After recording two albums they bought a coffee shop. Ted Kistler continued to perform. Singer, song writer, guitarist, coffee shop proprietor and theatre founder Theodore J. Kistler was born in Kalamazoo. Michigan on 3 July 1941 and died on 26 February 2020. James Brignall gave up music and went to law school and became an attorney in Kalamazoo, Michigan but is now retired.

  Wilbur Campbell | Jazz Institute of Chicago | tc703 Jazz drummer Wilbur Campbell was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1926.  Wilbur Campbell  died of complications from liver disease on Dec. 30, 1999 at his home in Chicago’s South Side. The Chicago Tribune reported: “Known among friends and colleagues as “The Chief,” for his pre-eminence among Chicago drummers, Mr. Campbell was a product of a celebrated training ground for jazz musicians: DuSable High School on the South Side of Chicago. There, Mr. Campbell studied with Capt. Walter Dyett, who nurtured such rising jazz stars as Dorothy Donegan, Gene Ammons, Von Freeman and Eddie Harris.”

  Eddie and Ernie | Ace Records | tc071 William Edgar Campbell (“Eddie”) was born in Lodi, Texas, on 23rd December 1940. With the late Ernest "Sweetwater" Johnson (“Ernie”), who was born in Lubbock, Texas, on 22nd October 1943 and who died in a hit-and-run incident in Phoenix, Arizona, on 20 August 2005, he formed the duo Eddie and Ernie. On the tracks, Edgar Campbell also plays lead guitar. They made a number of recordings for various labels but without huge success.    Edgar Campbell  died in Los Angeles, California, on 10 July 1994.  

  The Calvaes | Copyright control | tc279 The Calvaes were a doo wop group who were managed by Ted Daniels and were James “Zeke” Brown, James Bailey, Paul Morgan, Donald “Duck” Coles and Donald Handley. The group originally recorded for Cobra Records, then were picked up by Chess. For some reason the Checker single is credited to “Oscar Boyd and The Calvaes”. Singer and song writer James Zeke Brown was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on 7 July 1939. He later joined Chicago based group The Accents who recorded for M-Pac.   

R&B saxophonist Robert “Catman” Caffrey was born around 1926. Caffrey played with Roy Brown, Guitar Slim, Earl King and Huey “Piano” Smith, among others; he was also a member of the Dew Drop Inn house band in the 1950’s. He recorded for Chess in the early 1950s and also recorded for Savoy and other jazz labels. Robert Caffrey  died in New Orleans on 1 February 2002, aged 75.   No photo of Mr Caffrey has been located.

  The Bystanders | Copyright control | tc501 Released on Chess through their arrangements with British label Pye, The Bystanders were a pop group from Merthyr, South Wales who had a number of releases and regular radio spots on the BBC. The group reformed in 1969 as the rock group Man. 

  Cassell Burrows (drums) and Alvin Nichols (bass) | July 1968 | Getty Images | tc807 101 | 29 September 2021 Blues drummer, emcee, mentor and vocalist  Cassell Burrow was born in Galloway, Tennessee, on 8 March 1914.  He located to Chicago in 1933 as a vocalist, and received his first set of drums from Snooky Prior the following year. He played in the bands of Eddie Boyd, Howlin’ Wolf, Eddie Taylor, Homesick James and Elmore James, both in live performances and recordings. There is an unissued album he made in 1962.  Mr Burrows died in Chicago, Illinois, on 2 May 1980. Thanks to Marc for his help with this post.

  Kenny Burrell | All about Jazz | tc242 Jazz guitarist Kenneth Earl “Kenny” Burrell was born in Detroit, Michigan, on July 31, 1931 and is still living. He played guitar from the age of 12. His collaborations with the organist Jimmy Smith are regarded as outstanding.  He is also a professor and Director of Jazz Studies at UCLA Herb Alpert School Of Music specialising in the music of Duke Ellington.

  Eddie Guitar Burns | Uncredited | tc087 Singer, song writer, guitarist and harmonica player Eddie “Guitar” Burns was born in Belzoni, Mississippi, on February 8, 1928.  Influenced by the music of Sonny Boy Williamson I and Big Bill Broonzy he migrated north to Detroit. He was with Chess Records from 1954 to about 1957. He became widely appreciated and won many awards, including the Michigan Heritage Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Detroit Blues Society. His brother Jimmy is also a highly regarded musician and singer.  Eddie Burns  died in Detroit, Michigan, on December 12, 2012 from heart failure.  

  Solomon Burke | Amazon | tc067 Singer, song writer, preacher, mortician, part time snow plough driver, businessman, caterer and guitarist Solomon Vincent McDonald Burke was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 21, 1940. While at school he sang in a gospel choir. His grandmother gave him his first guitar.   He had an enormous influence on shaping rhythm and blues and especially soul music. Atlantic's Jerry Wexler regarded him as the greatest soul singer. While his major successes were recorded for the Atlantic label, he recorded for a total of 17 labels, including Chess, during the period of All Platinum’s ownership of the label. He released 38 albums and had a total of 35 charting singles. Somewhat overweight and troubled with arthritis in his later life, and a wheelchair user, Solomon Burke  died from the effects of a pulmonary embolism while travelling at Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on October 10, 2010.

  George “Mojo” Buford | Copyright control/Discogs | tc764 Blues harmonica player George Carter “Mojo” Buford Jr. was born in Hernando, Mississippi on November 10, 1929.  In his teens he relocated first to Memphis, Tennessee, where he studied the blues, and thence on to Chicago, Illinois. In 1959 he replaced Little Walter in Muddy Waters’ band. In 1962 he moved again to Minneapolis where he was given his nickname of Mojo for repeated requests to sing the song “I got my mojo working”. Why else? He returned to the Muddy Waters Band on other occasions.  Mr Buford died in Minneapolis, Minnesota after a long period in hospital on October 11, 2011.

  Milt Buckner LP cover | All about jazz | tc209 Jazz pianist and organist Milton Brent “Milt” Buckner was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on 10 July 1915 but when his parents died he moved to Detroit, Michigan. He played with Cab Calloway and Lionel Hampton’s band and developed an unique style of playing. He was a pioneer of the electric jazz organ. His recordings for Argo were made around 1959.  Milt Buckner  died from a heart attack in Chicago, Illinois, on 27 July 1977.

  Little Sammie Bryant | Copyright control | tc449 Also known as “Little” Sammie Bryant, the diminutive gospel singer came to prominence touring with Rev. C. L. Franklin and Sam Cooke. Just three feet tall, Checker released one LP of her recordings in 1966, the recordings dating from 1959 onwards.  Sammie Bryant was born in Greenwood, Mississippi, on 29 July 1914. In the 1940s she moved to Detroit where she sang in the Church of the Rev. C.L. Franklin. She recorded with Aretha Franklin.  Sammie Bryant died in Detroit, Michigan, on 6 May 1980.

  Jazz pianist, arranger and composer Raphael Homer “Ray” Bryant was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 24, 1931. He was a childhood prodigy in a musical family. Musically he is associated with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and other jazz luminaries. He toured extensively and often played in trio settings.  Ray Bryant  died in Queens, New York after a long illness, on June 2, 2011.  

  Bobby Bryant | Chess Records | tc640 Jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist Bobby Bryant was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on May 19, 1934.  From 1952 to 1957 he studied at Chicago’s Cosmopolitan School of Music. He is associated with Charles Mingus, Oliver Nelson, Gerald Wilson and the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Bobby Bryant  died in Los Angeles, California on June 10, 1998.

  Odell Brown | Marlin Levison/Star Tribune | tc241 Jazz organist Odell Elliott Brown Jr. was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on February 2, 1940.  A child prodigy who began playing the piano at 4, he turned to organ by his teens. He was drafted and served with the Army Post Band. He secured a recording deal with Cadet Records. Odell Brown and the Organisers are O’Dell Brown, Artee “Duke” Payne, Tommy Purvis and Curtis Prince. In the 1970s he decided to work as an independent arranger, producer & studio musician, and worked with Minnie Ripperton, Curtis Mayfield, Johnny Nash and Marvin Gaye, co-writing the song “Sexual Healing”. Odell Brown  died in Richfield, Minnesota, on May 3, 2011.

  Earl Brown | Bluespower | tc295 Alto saxophonist Earl Hardy “Good Rockin” Brown Sr. recorded for other labels before signing with Chess. He was born in El Dorado, Arkansas on 5 September 1931. He toured with Ray Charles (who was only 20 when Earl joined his band), Lowell Fulsom and Muddy Waters and was inducted in the Blues Hall of Fame in 1990. Original pressings of his records on the Checker label are rare.  Earl Brown died in Stockton, California on 31 December 2013.

  Douglas Fontaine Brown in 2007 | Del Shannon.Com | tc268 Douglas Fontaine Brown, born in Ann Arbour, Michigan, in 1942, was raised in Detroit and graduated from school in 1959. He then attended College and the University of Michigan. In 1961 Detroit record producer Ollie McLaughlin and Leonard Chess recorded a single at Chess Records’ studio, and the record, Blue Night, was issued on Checker 1001. Brown is mainly associated with rock music and artists including Del Shannon and Bob Seger and appears on many rock albums. Douglas Fontaine Brown died in November 2022.

  The Violinaires | Amazon | tc689 The late Rev. Charlie Brown is one of the original founding members of the Detroit based gospel group, The Violinaires, a group which once included a young Wilson Pickett during his time in Detroit. Rev Charlie Brown died in 2013 after a long period on life support.

  Barbara and the Browns | Image Restored by Google Archive | tc244 Barbara and The Browns are a vocal group from Memphis, Tennessee, whose recordings were leased to Chess and also to Stax records and other labels. The Browns were her brothers and sisters, Roberta, Betty, and Maurice (another brother, Richard, wrote some of the groups’ songs). She also made solo recordings. The Cadet single “I don’t want to have to wait” is top grade Memphis soul.  Barbara Brown (pictured) died on 3 February 2010.  

Al Brown | Night Beat Records | tc1016 Al Brown’s Tunetoppers was a band led by tenor saxophonist Al Brown, born May 22, 1934, who had success in 1960 with a dance tune “The Madison”. The dance calls were by Cookie Brown. The record reached no. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100.

  Big Bill Broonzy | Terry Coyer/Broonzy.com | tc141 Singer, guitarist, blues promoter and song writer Lee Conley Bradley (Big Bill Broonzy) was born in Jefferson County, Arkansas, on either June 26 1893 or more likely sometime in 1903.  He first started playing a home made cigar box fiddle when he was ten. From the 1920s to 1950s he was a leading blues singer whose style graduated from the country blues to urban blues style.  A prolific songwriter, he copyrighted more than three hundred songs. He made over two hundred recordings for a number of labels. Chess was not one of the major labels; he recorded at Chess through his association with Sonny Boy Williamson.  For British audiences, his importance is that during the 1950s he toured Europe and the UK extensively, and helped to generate interest in blues music. Big Bill Broonzy died in Chicago, Illinois, on August 15, 1958, of throat cancer. He had previously had a lung removed.

  Lonnie Brooks in 2005 | Friday Blues Fix | tc385 Blues singer Lee Baker Jr. (Lonnie Brooks) was born in Dubuisson, Louisiana, on December 18, 1933. He was discovered in the early 1950s by Clifton Chenier. He moved to Chicago in the 1960s finding work as a session musician backing artists such as Jimmy Reed, as well as making his own recordings for a number of labels including Chess. He appeared in the film Blues Brothers 2000, and in television commercials. “One Sunny Day” also appeared on the Chirrup label.  Mr Brooks died in Chicago, Illinois, on April 1, 2017.