Chess Records 80

Jeannie Piersol | Copyright Control | tc1110 Rock singer Jeannie Gross "Jeannie Piersol" from San Francisco was a friend of Grace Slick and was in the original line up of the band "The Great Society" before forming her own rock bands "The Yellow Brick Road" and "Hair", then in 1968 was invited by Marshall Chess to travel to Chicago where she recorded for Cadet Concept with backing by Minnie Riperton, Maurice White and Charles Stepney. Her details are undocumented and she is thought to be alive.

  Earl Phillips | Discogs | tc737 Blues drummer Earl Phillips was born on 25 April 1920 in Harlem, New York. In a long career he played and recorded with Jimmy Reed, Billy Boy Arnold, John Lee Hooker, Snooky Priot, Eddie Taylor, Howlin’ Wolf and Jimmy Reed, among many other singers. He can be heard on many Vee Jay and Chess blues sessions including “Smokestack Lightning”. Earl Phillips, who belongs to the group of drummers who made so many recordings in the 1950s died in Chicago, Illinois on 20 November 1990.

  James Phelps | Soul Cellar | tc079 James Phelps was born on April 2, 1932, in Shreveport, Louisiana.   He was an R&B and gospel singer who had sung in several gospel groups including the Gospel Songbirds, the Holy Wonders (with Lou Rawls) and the Soul Stirrers (with Sam Cooke) before starting his solo career in the 1960s. His single, “Love Is a Five-Letter Word”, on Argo Records in 1965, was his biggest success. Rolling Stone notes: “Phelps was on the road with the Soul Stirrers in December of 1964 when he got word that Cooke had been killed in a California motel. “We talked to him that same night,” Phelps told Soul Cellar. “Our bus had broken down in Atlanta, Georgia. We called Sam and told him we needed some money because we were on our way to Rocky Mountain, North Carolina. Sam said ‘I’ll get back to you guys first thing in the morning.’ We found out about his death next day through the radio.”” James Phelps died   in New York City  on October 26, 2010...

  Jimmy Peterson | Garage Hangover | tc397 Record producer, song writer, singer  James Butler "Jimmy Peterson", had been a member of vocal group "The Chicagoans". Mainly active in the 1950s and 1960s, he also recorded and wrote songs under the names Jim Peterson, James B Peterson, James Butler and James Dawg. The Chicagoans, sometimes described as a show band, were James Butler, Jim Holvay (guitar and bass), Gary Beisbier (saxophone and keyboards) and Larry McCabe (trombone), and formed in 1963. Some of them later formed a band called "The Mob". James Butler is undocumented but is understood to be deceased. Jim Holvay was also known as Jimmy Soul and composed the song "Kind of a drag" for The Buckinghams.  Gary Beisbier was also involved with The Buckinghams. 

George Peters is a soul/R&B singer who recorded one single for Chess in 1966 (Chess 1973). He is undocumented and the name may be an alias.

  Åke Persson | Alchetron | tc608 Jazz trombonist Åke Persson was born in Hässleholm, Sweden on February 25, 1932. He is associated with Quincy Jones, Kenny Clarke and the RIAS Berlin band, also playing with Benny Bailey, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. H e was found dead in his car in the Djurgårdsbrunn channel in Stockholm on February 5, 1975.  

  Greg Perry | Soulwalking | tc384 Singer, songwriter and record producer Gregory Stephen Perry was born in Alton, Illinois on January 21, 1948 and started his career at Chess working with Billy Davis. He went on to work at Hot Wax/Invictus records, collaborating with General Johnson and Angelo Bond on many of their hits. He then went on to restart his solo career. His brothers include the singer Jeff Perry, and he was married to singer Edna Wright of the vocal group Honey Cone. Mr Perry died in Pasadena, California, on March 13, 2023.

  Nat Perrilliat | Discogs | tc808 Jazz, blues and R&B saxophonist Nathaniel Leonard “Nat” Perrilliat was born in New Orleans on 29 November 1936. From 1962 he appeared with Professor Longhair, Shirley and Lee and Smiley Lewis. Also keen on jazz music, he played with Nat Adderley and other jazz bands. As a session musician he recorded with Barbara George, Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint and Clarence “Frogman” Henry. In 1962 he formed a Jazz Big Band. During the later 1960s he toured with Joe Tex, Junior Parker and Fats Domino. Mr Perrilliat died from a cerebral haemorrhage in Sacramento, California on 26 January 1971. Thanks to Marc for his help with this post.

  R&B and soul singer David Perrett recorded a single for Cadet "Soul President" in 1970. David Perrett is undocumented.

Pinetop Perkins | National Endowment For The Arts | tc1109 Influential pianist and guitarist Joe Willie "Pinetop" Perkins is now widely regarded as one of the key people in developing Delta and Chicago blues music. Pinetop Perkins was born in Belzoni, Mississippi, on a plantation, on 7 July 1913. EWhile working in Helena, Arkansas in the 1940s he was stabbed in the arm during a fight, and then was unable to play the guitar. In 1953 he recorded at the Sun studio at Memphis, Tennessee. A highly regarded session man, he was soon backing Sonny Boy Williamson and Muddy Waters. He toured with Robert Nighthawk, and even taught Ike Turner how to play the piano. He made a cameo appearance in The Blues Brothers film. His first album only came about in 1988. He received the Blues Music Award for best instrumentalist (piano) so often they renamed the award after him. He also became the oldest person to win a Grammy. Pinetop Perkins died in Austin, Texas, on 21 March 2011.

  Reba Smith | Debbdean | tc131 Singer and song writer Reba Jeanette Smith was born in Corbin, Kentucky, on 1st February, 1928.  She recorded under a variety of names including “Penny Smith”; “Debbie Stevens”; “Debbie Dean”; “Debra Dion”; “Debbie Smith”. In 1958 a single by “Penny & the Ekos” was released on Chess/Argo, both sides of which were written by Berry Gordy & Roquel Davis.  In 1961 she became the first white artist to be signed to Motown, and issued a recording on which she was backed by The Miracles. Her recording was not very successful and Motown let her go, then re-signed her in 1966 as a song writer partnered with song writer and producer Deke Richards.  Reba Smith died in Ojai, California on 17th February, 2001.

Pennsylvania Sixpence was a short lived British band whose recording of "Love of the Common People" was issued on a Chess compilation album. The band were comprised of British session musicians, including Rod Clark, Don Paul, and Tony Macaulay. They were a studio band not a touring band and also recorded under the name The West Coast Delegation.  Song writer and record producer Anthony Gordon Instone (Tony Macaulay) was born in Fulham, London on 21 April 1944. In 1967 he joined Pye Records as a producer, and had hits with The Foundations, Edison Lighthouse and Long John Baldry. Rodney Joseph Clark (Rod Clark) was born in Surlingham, Norfolk on 23 November 1942 and died on 17 March 2025. Donald Paul Fountain (Don Paul) was born in Oldham, Lancashire on 2 January 1937. He was a member of group The Viscounts, whose biggest hit in Britain was the song "Short'nin' bread" (1960).

  Morris Pejoe LP cover | tc049 One of the lesser known artistes who recorded for Chess in the early days, blues singer and guitarist Morris  Pejas (Morris Pejoe) was born in Palmetto, Louisiana, on 11 April 1924. Originally a violinist, impressed with Texan blues guitarists T-Bone Walker and Clarence Gatemouth Brown, he began playing guitar in the late 1940s. In the early 1950s he and his pianist Henry Gray both moved to Chicago, Illinois. His wife was the blues singer Mary Lane. Their children Lynne Lane and her son Morris Pejoe Jr. are also blues singers.  Morris Pejoe died in Westland, Detroit, Michigan on 27 July 1982.  

  Erline Harris | Image Restored By Google Archive | tc1108 Jump blues and rock and roll singer Erlyn Eloise Johnson (Erline Harris), who recorded with the John Peck Orchestra in the early days of Chess, was born on 5 April 1914 in Thornton, Arkansas. She had been engaged to the singer Billy Eckstein in the 1930s. She was second cousin to Louis Armstrong. Highly educated and intelligent, she graduated from Louisiana State Normal College in 1942. By the late 40s she was based in New Orleans, Louisiana, touring with Paul Gayten and Dave Bartholomew. In 1949 she signed with DeLuxe Records and recorded her signature title, "Rock and Roll Blues" - one of the earliest recordings to feature the phrase. Erline Harris died from gastrointestinal bleeding in Las Vegas, Nevada on 26 April 2004.

John Peck and his Orchestra were an early signing to Chess Records. In 1951 his recording Long Tall Papa (featuring Earline Harris on vocals) was issued on Chess 1471. His name was mis spelled - it was John Peek. He is unfortunately undocumented.

  Odie Payne | Scott K. Fish | tc548 Blues drummer Odie Payne was born in Chicago, Illinois on 27 August 1926.  He had a long career working with Muddy Waters, Jimmy Rogers, Otis Rush, Tampa Red, Chuck Berry, Buddy Guy and others. He is regarded as the creator of the double shuffle drumming technique. After service with the US Army he enrolled at the Roy C Knapp School of Percussion. His recording career began in 1949 as a member of The Broomdusters, Elmore James’ band. He can be heard on Chuck Berry’s recordings of “Nadine”, “You never can tell”, “Promised land” and “No particular place to go”.  Odie Payne died in Chicago, Illinois on 1 March 1989.  

Billy Paul | Uncredited Photo | tc1107 Singer “Billy” Paul Williams was born on December 1, 1934.  He was a native of Philadelphia and was heavily influenced by jazz vocalists including Billie Holiday, hence his nickname. He recorded extensively with Gamble and Huff and his earlier recordings with them were issued on the Neptune label distributed by GRT Chess.  Billy Paul died on April 24, 2016, from cancer.

  Don Patterson | Copyright control | tc540 Jazz organist Don Patterson was born in Columbus, Ohio on July 22, 1936. He was associated with Sonny Stitt. Unfortunately he battled with drug addiction during his life and after a period of poor health he died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 10, 1988.

  Johnny Pate | Johnny Pate | tc181 John William “Johnny” Pate was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois on December 5, 1923 and is a jazz bassist who is better known as a music arranger/producer, and a leading figure in developing Chicago soul, pop and R&B music. He has arranged albums for artists from the Bee Gees to B B King. He is closely associated with the Impressions records featuring Curtis Mayfield and also Fontella Bass’ "Rescue Me". Argo released Johnny Pate’s “Bluesette/Deeno Dantay” on Argo 5468. In 1958 his "Swinging Shepherd Blues", composed by Canadian musician Moe Koffman, was a US hit and was covered in the UK by Ted Heath and his orchestra, reaching number three in March 1958. In the 1970s Johnny Pate was involved with making music for films. Aged 102 at the time of writing, Johnny Pate is still alive.

  The Pastels | Uncle Marv | tc1106 "The Pastels" has been used by a number of bands over the decades, but the recording on Chess was by a group who formed in 1954 at the US base at Narsarssuak, Greenland, where they were stationed, and were documented as originally being DiFosco Dee Ervin (Big Dee Irwin - far right in the photo), Richard Travis (left in picture), Tony Thomas (third right in picture) and Jimmy Willingham (second in picture). After being transferred to Washington DC, they took part in a forces talent show which motivated them to seek a recording contract. This was with a small label called Hull and the record was distributed nationally on the Argo label. The photo may show the line up on the recording. The group disbanded in 1959 but DiFosco Dee Ervin went on to have a successful solo career especially with his international hit "Swinging on a star".  Singer and song writer Big Dee Irwin was born in Harlem, New York City, on 6 July 1932 and died from...

So what do we know about the Parrots? Obviously a vocal group, they are undocumented and were put together in 1953 by disc jockey and producer Al Benson at the time he started his own recording company, Parrot. Benson had signed a distribution deal with Chess and in March 1953 an assembled group of undocumented singers went into the studios and recorded two titles. The product was going to be released on Checker, the singers using the same name as the record company, and the index number Checker 772 was assigned, but was never pressed. Instead the recording was issued as a 78 rpm record on Parrot 772. Parrot ceased operating in 1956 and the 78s are rare.

  Fred Parris | Wikipedia | tc317 Singer and song writer Fred Parris is mainly famous as a member of the Five Satins, and their enormous hit “In the still of the night”. Mr Parris was born on 26 March 1936 in Milford, Connecticut, and enjoyed a long and distinguished musical career. From 1955 to 1957 he did his national service in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He wrote "In the still of the night" while on guard duty. He collapsed in September 2013, age 77, while singing on stage with the Five Satins – the rest of Five Satins continued performing and finished the concert without him. Fred Parris died after a short illness on January 13, 2022.

  Robert Parker | WWL TV Channel 4 | tc801 Singer and saxophonist Robert Parker, famous for his song “Barefootin’”, was born in Mobile, Alabama on 14 October, 1930. He grew up in New Orleans and started his recording career with Professor Longhair on his legendary recording “Mardi Gras in New Orleans”, recorded in 1949. During the 1950s he was in demand as a session musician and can be heard on recordings by Fats Domino, Huey Piano Smith, Ernie K. Doe and others. Visiting artists would also hire him, including Otis Redding , Solomon Burke and Jerry Butler. “Barefootin’”, which he wrote, was recorded with Wardell Quezergue for the Nola record label and was a gold disc. His recording career ended in the mid 1970s, but he continued to tour the US and abroad, including trips to the UK. Robert Parker died from natural causes at his home in Roseland, Louisiana on 19 January 2020.

  A Leo Parker LP cover | Blue Note Records | tc332 Saxophonist Leo Parker was born in Washington DC on April 18, 1925.  He is closely associated with Coleman Hawkins, Gene Ammons and others. In 1944 he joined the band of Billy Eckstein, and was nicknamed "The Mad Lad".  Leo Parker died in New York City on 11 February 1962 of a heart attack.

The Parker Brothers And Audrey were a gospel group who recorded for the Checker label in the 1970s. They are undocumented. Their album "Sing a song" was produced by Mancel L. Warrick, who was the father of singers Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick. He was also Cissy Houston's brother-in-law and Whitney Houston's uncle.

Alan Abel | Temple University | tc1105 A 1958 LP on Argo by "Professor Paradiddle" was actually a recording by Alan Daniel Abel, who was the Associate Principal Percussionist for the Philadelphia Orchestra for more than 30 years. A paradiddle is a drumming rudiment which combines single and double strokes into a smooth alternating rhythm. Alan Abel was also known as a satirist and prankster. He was also the inventor of custom symphonic triangles (see picture). Alan Abel was born on 6 December 1928 in Hobart, Indiana and died in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania on 25 April 2020.

  Earl Palmer | Drummer World | tc800 Rhythm and blues and jazz drummer Earl Cyril Palmer was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on 25 October 1924. He is regarded as one of the originators of rock and roll music for his backbeat playing on Fats Domino’s “Fat Man”. He first appeared on stage doing a tap dance when he was five years old. He served in the US Army in Europe during World War II. After war service he studied piano and percussion at a school of music in New Orleans. In the late 1940s he began playing drums with the Dave Bartholomew band. He became a session musician and can be heard on many hits by Fats Domino, Little Richard and others. In 1957 he moved to California where he became one of the famous “Wrecking Crew” and he plays drums on The Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve lost that loving feeling”. He was in great demand for session work including television work. It appears that he has drummed for everyone from B. B. King to Frank Sinatra. Mr Palmer died in Banning, Californi...

Electric bass guitarist Andrew Palmer was a session musician during the 1960s and can be heard on the recordings by Howlin' Wolf. Andrew Palmer is undocumented.

Rhythm and blues singer, pianist and band leader Hal Paige, who recorded during the early to late 1950s, is undocumented but is known to have been based in Harlem, New York. 

  Paddy,Klaus and Gibson | copyright control | tc507 Paddy, Klaus and Gibson were a short lived Liverpool-based group comprising Patrick John "Paddy" Chambers (1944-2000), Klaus Otto Wilhelm Voormann (1938-) and Gibson Stewart Kemp (1945-). Their record was made by Pye Records in the UK and leased to Chess for US distribution. Mr Voormann is well known for his art work, having designed the cover for The Beatles’ Revolver LP.  Mr Kemp now resides in Germany where he became an A&R director and music publisher.

Overnight Low were a rock band from Dayton, Ohio, who recorded a single for Chess in 1973 (CH 2146).  They were:  Byron Byrd (born Dayton, Ohio, 22 January 1949: bass, saxophone, keyboards, band leader);  Clarence "Chet" Willis (born Shreveport, Louisiana, 7 June 1950; died Buford, Georgia, 25 March 2025: guitar);  J ames "Diamond" Williams (born Dayton, Ohio, 27 March 1950: drums);  John Hampton Wagner (born Dayton, Ohio, 18 April 1953, died Dayton, Ohio, 5 May 2024: trumpet, tr ombone);  Chris Jones (born Dayton, Ohio, 1950?, died Dayton, Ohio, 21 August 2014: trumpet) and  Hollis Melson (born Dayton, Ohio, early fifties: bass).  James Williams and Clarence Willis joined The Ohio Players. Byron Byrd renamed the group "Sun" but then joined the UK group "Heatwave". Chris Jones helped to form the band "Dayton" with guitarist Shawn Sandridge. Then he became musical; leader at the Bethesda Temple Apostolic Church in Dayton.

  Rune Öfwerman | Music Industry of Sweden | tc477 Rune Overman was Axel Ivar Rune Öfwerman, who was born on December 24, 1932, in Stockholm, Sweden. His sons Clarence Öfwerman and Staffan Öfwerman are rock musicians. There are two other sons. Mr Öfwerman was a jazz pianist and a co-founder of a record label in Sweden, Gazell; the recording was licenced for distribution by Chess.  Rune Overman died from natural causes in Stockholm on December 13, 2013.  

  Danny Overbea | Ace Records | tc076 Guitarist and vocalist Daniel Dorsey "Danny" Overbea was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 3 January 1926; his family relocated to Chicago in the early 1930s.  He received musical training at Chicago's DuSable High School. He served in the US Forces in Europe during World War 2. He became an early pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll, beginning his musical career in a group called The Three Earls in 1946, joining Chess Records in 1952. ‘Train Train Train’ and ‘40 Cups Of Coffee’, are among the earliest rock ‘n’ roll songs. Overbea was known for his acrobatic back-bend to the floor while playing the guitar behind his head, and was often on the Alan Freed television programmes. Overbea made his last records in 1959 and retired from the music business in 1976.  Danny Overbea died on 11 May 1994. 

Billy Orr was recorded by the Aristocrat label in its early days and four titles were recorded and allocated matrix numbers, but there is no evidence so far that they were released, and the person remains undocumented.

  The Ovations | Ace Records | tc423 The Ovations line up on the Chess recordings was Louis Williams, William Young and Nathaniel "Pedro" Lewis. Louis and Nathaniel had been with The Ovations since the early 1960s when they were signed to Goldwax records. The photo may include Elvin Lee Jones who was with the group when they were with Goldwax. The group split up in the early 1980s. Louis Williams was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on 24 February 1941 and died there on 13 October 2002. He had previously been in the group The Del-Rios, which included William Bell. William Young died in Memphis, Tennessee in 1998 but is otherwise undocumented. Nathaniel Lewis was born in Memphis, Tennessee on 30 July 1943 and died in Memphis, Tennessee on 10 April 2013.

  The Five Blind Boys of Mississippi | Discogs | tc735 The Five Blind Boys of Mississippi were founded in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1936 and were originally four singers: Archie Brownlee, Joseph Ford, Lawrence  "Shorty" Abrams and Lloyd Lee Woodward, who may not be the line up pictured above. They were originally known as The Cotton Blossom Singers, and formed while they were attending the Piney Woods Country Life School. In 1951 their recording of “Our Father” with Brownlee singing lead entered the US R&B top ten, the first gospel recording to do so.  Archie Brownlee was born in Perry County, Mississippi on 25 October 1925 and died in New Orleans, Louisiana from pneumonia on 8 February 1960. Joseph Ford was born on 4 December 1916 but is otherwise undocumented. Lawrence Abrams died in South Carolina in August 1982 but is otherwise undocumented. Lloyd Lee Woodward died in June or July 1973 but is otherwise undocumented.

Chess acquired the rights to masters by doo-wop group The Orchids when Chance/Parrot Records was wound up. The Orchids were based in Chicago's South Side, formed in 1954 by members of another group, The Five Thrills, who also recorded as The Earls, and the line up included singer and song writer Gilbert Warren, bass singer and song writer Buford Wright and pianist and singer Robert C. Nesbary. The Orchids disbanded in 1956. Robert C. Nesbary continued as a song writer and composed some material for early recordings of the Jackson Five. Gilbert Warren, Buford Wright and Robert C. Nesbary are all undocumented. No reliable image located.

The Orbits | Image Restored By Google Archive | tc1103 The Orbits were a doo wop group from Jackson, Mississippi. Their release on Argo 5286 – “Mr. Hard Luck”/”Who Are You” was their only hit. They originally formed in 1953 as the Quails, and on this recording were George Jackson, Joe Graham, Charles Harper and Sam Jones, Jr.  Their lone hit, “Mr. Hard Luck” was credited to the Orbits to avoid confusion with a rival group called The Quails on Deluxe. The group broke up shortly afterwards when at least one of the members was called up for the US Forces. They should not be confused with Johnny And The Hurricanes, who were originally also called The Orbits.

The One Eyed Jacks | Image Restored By Google Archive | tc1102 The One Eyed Jacks were a garage/rock group who formed in 1966 at the University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois. Their manager and booker were Robert Nutt and Irving Azoff. The disc jockey Art Roberts of radio station WLS Chicago, whose featuring the group brought them to the attention of Marshall Chess, who signed them to the short lived Chess rock label, Lakeside. The band members were Budd Carr, vocals; George Harvey, guitar; Barry Fasman, keyboards; Bill Schneider, bass; Bob Amran, saxophone; Bill Gedzun and Rick Jozwick, drums. Budd Carr was replaced by future RAO Speedwagon singer Mike Murphy in 1969. The band was popular and became an opening act for The Hollies and The Doors before they broke up in 1973. 

  Clarence Oliver | BandMix | tc826 Independent drummer and vocalist Clarence "Foot" Alonzo Oliver was born in Petersburg, Virginia on 7 January 1954. He began performing professionally at age 14 and joined the studio band for All Platinum Records. He has played with The Moments, Etta James, The Dells, Solomon Burke and others. He is still performing.

  Spooner Oldham | Paste | tc251 "Spooners Crowd" were songwriter and record producer Dewey Lindon “Spooner” Oldham, credited on the label, and his studio colleagues. “Spooner” Oldham was born in Centre Star, Sheffield, Alabama on 14 June 1943. He first came to prominence as a song writer and producer while working at the Fame studios, but by 1967 had moved from Muscle Shoals to Memphis and was working with Chips Moman at his American Studios. He later moved again to Los Angeles. In 2022 he released an album, The Muscle Shoals Sessions, recorded during 2022 at the Fame studios. In 2025 he was in Neil Young's backing group at Glastonbury.

  The O’Jays | Bruno of Hollywood | theojays.jpg The O’Jays were a vocal group which formed in 1958 in Canton, Ohio. Originally a five piece, the members were Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles. Bill Isles left the group in 1965. Bobby Massey left the group around 1972.  The group came into prominence from around 1968 when they teamed up with producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, with their material being released on the Chess distributed Neptune label until 1970. Eddie Levert, born in Bessemer, Alabama on 16 June 1942. Walter Williams, born in Canton, Ohio on 25 August 1943. William Powell, born in Canton, Ohio on 20 January 1942, died from cancer in Canton, Ohio on 26 May 1977. Bobby Massey, born in Detroit, Michigan on 9 March 1942. Bill Isles, born in McAdenville, North Carolina on 4 January 1941. 

St Louis Jimmy | Uncredited | tc107 Song writer, singer and record company founder James Burke “St. Louis Jimmy” Oden was born on June 26, 1903.  Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Oden began performing with the pianist, Roosevelt Sykes and when Sykes went north to Chicago in 1933, Oden went with him. In Chicago he acquired the nickname “St. Louis Jimmy” and became a friend of Muddy Waters, who introduced him to Aristocrat records where he recorded in 1948, after recording earlier for the Bluebird label. His most famous composition is the blues standard "Going down slow" (1941). He was a founder of JOB Records.  James Oden had a long period of ill health following a severe car accident in 1957 and died in Chicago, Illinois from bronchial pneumonia on December 30, 1977.

  Pat O’Day | Historic images | tc496 Pat O’Day was a popular singer who was popular throughout the 1950s. Her single release on Chess was reviewed in Billboard in November 1958. Pat O'Day is undocumented.

  The Ocapellas, a group of singers who recorded the single "Stars" (Checker 1144, 1966) are undocumented.

  An undated line up of The Oak Ridge Boys | Gloryland Jubilee | tc734 Originally called The Oak Ridge Quartet, The Oak Ridge Boys are a country and gospel group which was formed in 1943, named after the Oak Ridge Nuclear Research facility, which enjoyed wide popularity from the 1950s for their gospel music. In the 1960s they changed their name to The Oak Ridge Boys, and in the early 1970s they gave up singing gospel music to concentrate on country music. The original line up of the quartet was Wally Fowler, Lon “Deacon” Freeman, Curly Kinsey and Johnny New. At times there were five members but they remained a “Quartet”. They were regular performers on The Grand Old Opry. Freeman, Kinsey and New left in 1949 and another group, The Calvary Quartet, became the Oakridge Quartet. Are you with us so far? In 1957 Fowler sold the group’s name to clear a debt. There have since been numerous changes in line up. A group of Oak Ridge Boys is still active.

The Norfolk Singers were a gospel group which recorded one famous recording for the Aristocrat label. Sadly the personnel involved in the recording are undocumented.

  The Norvells | NumeroGroup | tc476 Originally called The Belvederes, the Norvells were Billy Smith, Richard Pegue , Claude “Dee-Dee” Wyatt, Victor Trice and Richard Slaughter. The group formed at High School and modelled their sound on The Spaniels. The Norvells renamed as The Nicolet Singers and then The Perfections. We have further information on Richard Pegue but the other members of the group are undocumented.

The Norfleet Brothers | Discogs | tc1100 The Norfleet Brothers were a traditional gospel music group based in Chicago, Illinois. From a large family, they were actual brothers and were raised on a farm in Marion, Alabama. In 1948 they were on their way to New York when their car broke down in Chicago and they decided to stay there. They were Moses "Mose" Norfleet, Peter Norfleet, Arthur Norfleet, Joseph "Joe" Norfleet, George Norfleet and Junious "Bud" Norfleet, pictured, who were managed by James Norfleet. They sang regularly on a Chicago television show, Jubilee Showcase, from 1963 to 1984. For 29 years they sang at Chicago's Olivet Baptist Church, South Side. They won a Stellar Award for Lifetime Achievement. 

  Nick Noble | Discogs | tc733 Easy listening singer Nick Noble was born in Chicago on 21 June 1926. His popularity peaked in the mid 1950s when he had four pop hits on the Billboard charts. He then left the music business to concentrate on operating a restaurant. He died from heart failure in Chicago, Illinois on March 25, 2012, age 85.

  James Nixon | Tennessee Rhythm and Blues Society | tc425 James “Nick” Nixon is a gospel, R&B and blues artist who has toured extensively during a long career which started in the 1950s playing R&B. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on 9 April 1941. By the early 1970s Nixon recorded briefly for Chess. His dedication to teaching blues music to younger generations has earned him awards. He was lately associated with fellow musician Andy “T” Talamantez. He died after a long illness in Nashville, Tennessee, on 28 February 2018.

  Willie Nix | Sun Records | tc097 Willie Nix was born in Union, Mississippi on August 6, 1922. He first performed as a tap dancer in a Minstrel show. He started recording as a singer, drummer and guitarist in the 1940s in Memphis. In 1958 he went to Arkansas to face outstanding legal issues relating to a murder case, and according to Chicago blues musician Floyd Jones, Nix served a prison sentence of more than four years. After he was released he became a reclusive figure with declining health. Willie Nix died in Leland, Mississippi from undocumented cause on July 8, 1991.  In the photograph Willie Nix is standing at the microphone, on the right.  

The recording of “Jelly Bean” by the Nite Caps (Chess 1694, 1958) was produced by Robert J. "Bob" Hayes, song writer, arranger and musical director for the session, it was an attempt to cash in on Halloween with a novelty record for children. The identities of the performers on the recording are undocumented and are now thought to be session musicians and singers. Rumours that Bill Haley and The Comets were involved do not appear to be true.

  Robert Nighthawk | All about Jazz | tc064 Robert Lee McCollum (Robert Nighthawk) was born in Helena, Arkansas on November 30, 1909. He signed to Chess in 1948 and stayed with them until 1950. He is widely known for his Aristocrat recording Annie Lee Blues and Black Angel Blues, by The Nighthawks, of 1949, which set new trends in blues music. There was then a long period of obscurity before he relaunched his career in the 1960s. Nighthawk was honoured by the Mississippi Blues Commission.  Robert Nighthawk  died in  Helena, Arkansas on November 5, 1967 of heart failure after a stroke and heart attack.  

Blues singer and pianist Tommy Nichols recorded for Chess in 1953. He had a vocal style similar to singer Buddy Clark and before recording for Chess had been active playing music in Chicago's Loop and North Side districts. He is undocumented.

  Alvin Nichols (right) |  July 1968 | Getty Images | tc807 Blues bassist and singer Alvin Nichols was born in Camden, Mississippi, on 10 February 1947. He moved to Chicago in 1964 and became a member of Howlin’ Wolf’s band. He later recorded under the name of B. B. Jones. He is now undocumented.

  Jimmy Nichol (at drums) with The Beatles, 1964 | Mirrorpix/Billboard | tc732 Drummer and businessman James George “Jimmie” Nichol was born on 3 August 1939 and became famous when he substituted for an ill Ringo Starr in The Beatles at the height of Beatlemania, in 1964. He had a run of bad luck in the mid 1960s before joining The Spotnicks for a while. He then concentrated on his business activities. His son Howard Nichol is a BAFTA winning sound engineer. Jimmy Nichol became a recluse. 

  The New Zealand Trading Co. LP Cover | All Music | tc232 The New Zealand Trading Co. were a pop group from New Zealand formed in 1958 as the Hi Quins, comprising Thomas Kini, Eddie Nuku, Kawana Waitere (all understood to be New Zealanders), Neville Turner and Lynn Alvarez (understood to both be Australians). The group was trying to make a go of it in the US. The group faded into obscurity soon after recording these sessions at the Universal Studios in Memphis.

  Joe Newman | British Broadcasting Corporation | tc628 Jazz trumpeter, composer and teacher Joseph Dwight Newman was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on 7 September 1922.  He is associated with with Count Basie and Benny Goodman, with whom he toured the Soviet Union in 1962. Joe Newman died in Manhattan, New York from a stroke on 4 July 1992. 

  Floyd Newman | Yalonda M James/The Commercial Appeal | tc1099 Saxophonist, session musician and bandleader Floyd Newman was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on 17 August 1931. In the late 1940s he joined B. B. King's band, then moved to Detroit and toured with Jackie Brenston and Sam Cooke before returning to Memphis. He became associated with Stax Records, joined the Mar-Keys and formed The Memphis Horns. Floyd Newman died on 23 May 2023, age 91.

  The New Direction | Discogs | tc731 The New Direction were a pop/soul/r&b band whose records appeared on the Neptune label distributed by Chess. The New Direction were: Terri Bryant, Dick Morgan (5 June 1929-20 October 2013, piano), Elgin Vines (bass), Curtis Lee (guitar) and Al Bartell (drums). They formed in 1968 in Cleveland, Ohio. Terri Bryant then joined The Fifth Dimension. Elgin Vines settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he worked in industry then after retirement formed Elgin Vines And Company, and is still alive. Curtis Lee moved to Canada and joined Sweet Blindness in 1974. Al Bartell is undocumented.

Art Neville | Cheryl Gerber, New York Times | tc1098 The lead singer on the Hawkettes’ recording of Mardi Gras Mambo, released by Chess, their only known recording, is New Orleans stalwart Art Neville (then 16).  Singer, song writer, session musician and keyboardist Arthur Lane "Art" Neville was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 17, 1937 and became one of the key developers of New Orleans R&B and funk music. He is also remembered for founding The Meters in the late 1960s. In 1977 he formed The Neville Brothers. He worked with Paul McCartney and Dr. John. He received three Grammy awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award.  Art Neville died after a long period of illness including a back injury and a stroke in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 22, 2019.

  Roosevelt Nettles With Pat McMahon & Mel Carter | Bob Corritore | tc567 Louisiana native and singer Roosevelt Nettles was born in Louisiana on 21 April 1939 and sung professionally as a teenager in Mobile, Alabama, then after a period with The Flames he joined the Air Force in 1958 where he was placed in "Special Services" during which time he formed the Enchanters.  Nettles made Phoenix Arizona his home after his military duties ended in 1962.  He made a local hit which was released nationally on Chess. Nettles and Chess could not agree on a follow-up and his relation with them ended. He steadily performed in the Southwest area opening for Ike & Tina Turner, Sam Cooke, and the Righteous Brothers. In 1966 he quit the music industry and worked as a Chef in Phoenix, Arizona. Roosevelt Nettles died in Phoenix, Arizona on 27 December 2006 and is buried in the National Memorial Cemetery there.