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Leonard Chess

 


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.

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