its own just fine. All I can say is. - The film implies a romance between Leonard Chess and singer The year is 1941 when, according to the movie, a man from the Library of Congress comes out to Mississippi to record a man named McKinley Morganfield playing his own style of folk music. Whos going to buy that?. Leonard Chess Jeffrey Wright Muddy Waters Beyonc Etta James (as Beyonc Knowles) Columbus Short Little Walter Josh Alscher Mick Jagger (as Joshua Alscher) Tim Bellow Man in the Caddy (as Timothy Bellow) Tony Bentley Lomax Tammy Blanchard Isabelle Allen Eric Bogosian Alan Freed Marc Bonan Keith Richards Cedric the Entertainer Willie Dixon With the exception They remember it was important at the beginning of rocknroll., Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, Have they got blues for you: Leonard, Phil and Marshall Chess Photograph: Chess Family Archive. 21. After less than a year, Marshall abandoned the family firm to run The Rolling Stones' newly formed label, leaving Muddy and Howlin' Wolf pretty much isolated. The circumstances of Little Walters death are incorrect as .css-rj2jmf{height:1em;width:1.5em;margin-right:3px;vertical-align:baseline;fill:#866D50;}The brothers were small-time indie record men making a quick buck from the poorest, least respected people in America. Artist(s) that make her freak out as a music fan: Sheila E., Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Quincy Jones. Blues artists were primarily interested to know if I got any sex. By 1950 Arons had been replaced by Leonards brother Phil and the label was called Chess, but most of its releases continued to be by jazz saxophonists. inserted here and there to remind us that these small stars are, in fact, portraying larger-than-life musicians whose work would influence generations. We talked about what it felt like being abandoned by a mother. Unfortunately, when this choice was made and the song was rerecorded by artists like Clarence Carter, Rod Stewart, B.B. Though this song has made a musical impact with its torturous cry of love lost, the first tears that fell for this songprivatelywere trulythat of Leonard Chess, head of her recording label, Chess Records in his intial hearing of the song. Guys like Muddy Waters or Howlin Wolf were natural stars, but when their records became hits, it seems like they sucked that in and their charisma grew and grew its fed by their stardom. Meet the Team 4:00AM. He was influential in the development of electric blues, Chicago blues, and rock and roll . Appreciate your comment. She had one brother Burt Saul Sloan. "My Foolish Heart" (Gene Ammons), "Rollin' Stone" (Muddy Waters), and "That's All Right" (Jimmy Rogers) were among the first releases on the new label. 1. The Stones came to Chicago to record the one I spent most time with was Brian Jones. Meanwhile, the film barely touches upon Chess' questionable business dealings that left these pioneers all but broke, save for the brand-new Cadillacs Chess would buy his artists upon their topping of the pops. Recorded in 1968 at the FAME Studio, this incredible single was said to be written by Ellington Jordan and her abusive ex, Billy Foster. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Lejzor became Leonard. Did Etta James think Minnesota Fats was her father? According to Marshall Chess, son of Leonard Chess, he had these words to say concerning the issue of this affair: "Now, my father was no angel, but (he) was never caught in an affair," Chess said. "The project wasn't about the Chess brothers, per se," said writer/director Darnell Martin ("I Like It Like That"). What did Mariah Carey say about Beyonc? Why is Cadillac Records not called Chess Records? American music producer Marshall Chess, son of Chess Records co-founder Leonard Chess and nephew of Phil Chess, introduces The Electric Mudcats to. By 1957, down-home blues singles were no longer hitting, but the Chess brothers had made pretty good money with their first LP, the soundtrack album for a forgettable teen movie, Rock, Rock, Rock. have a nice afternoon! 17. Etta James. I agree, the Etta James story needs no embellishment. Did Etta James record for Chess Records? Learn how your comment data is processed. "I gained almost 15 pounds to play the role," Beyonc said in the forthcoming November issue of InStyle about her character in the film, which also stars Jeffrey Wright, , Gabrielle Union and Adrien Brody. Cadillac Records focuses on Chess' relationship with his first significant artist, Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright), and the label's rise and expansion with the addition of such talents as Little Walter (Columbus Short), Willie Dixon (Cedric the Entertainer), Howlin' Wolf (Eamonn Walker), Chuck Berry (Mos Def) and Etta James (Beyonce Knowles). In 1960, James decided to sign with Leonard Chess' label, Chess Records and shortly afterward got involved in a relationship with singer Harvey Fuqua, founder of the doo-wop group, The Moonglows. In which episode Zeref tells Natsu they are brothers? Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. She recorded the hit ballad, My Dearest Darling, in 1960, to the accompaniment of string instruments, and sang background vocals on label mate Chuck . Cadillac Records off limits for musical historians and, more [7] In 1950, the Chess brothers renamed the company Chess Records. Etta James and Leonard Chess never had a romantic or sexual relationship, as the film suggests (although James did have an affair with the married Harvey Fugua of the Moonglows, yet another Chess artifact never mentioned in the film). Chicago before Elvis Presley. "It's like doing a film about aviation, with the Wright brothers, but only having one brother. I was blind in my love life, and I was blind in my personal ways. Like many other labels of its time, Chess had a reputation for butting heads with its artists over royalties. The Black Keys and The Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald will each play Pinewood Bowl in August. himself so seriously - perfect for film. Dixon and Waters used their award to start their own label. huge man at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds. All hats off to Bet for that outstanding performance in Cadillac Records. Lejzor Szmuel Czy (March 12, 1917 - October 16, 1969), best known as Leonard Sam Chess, was a Polish-born American record company executive and the co-founder of Chess Records. The life of Ms. Etta James is as fascinating as her voice, complicated as her vocal interpretations and raw as her passion. "It was primarily because I had so much to do," said Martin. Meet the Team Where is the solid gold Cadillac in the movie? Dallas' independent source of Once you indulge yourself in her life, you quickly comprehend the fierce spirit, complexities and facts never fully realized in the Beyonce produced film, Cadillac Records. [10][11] On October 16, 1969, a few months after selling his namesake label to General Recorded Tape, Leonard Chess died of a heart attack. goes beyond the norm in the liberties it takes with the Chess Shes also a proud Florida Girl born and raised inFt. Lauderdale, Fl. Please subscribe to keep reading. A bright 18-year-old named Mick Jagger ordered them directly from Chicago, and it was because he had a couple under his arm that he was approached by an erstwhile schoolmate named Keith Richards. No wonder Martin doesn't let the audience hear more than snatches of tunessave for Knowles' three extended numbers, clearly intended to sell the soundtrack. Phil and his brother, Leonard Chess, emigrated to the. Elvis Presley's iconic Pink Cadillac was a 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special. When Presley hit, Chess got its own white rocknrollers, Dale Hawkins and Bobby Charles. I remember as a Lil girl listening to my grandmothers, Aunts, and my Mommas stereos blasting Miss Ettas Songs they loved so much. Here are 5 of the legendary soul singer's most popular songs. Although Chess Records in Chicago vanished from the local scene when the company was purchased by GRT in 1968, the building where it all took place on south Michigan Avenue still stands today. He was influential in the development of electric blues, Chicago blues, and rock and roll. Photo courtesy of Marshall Chess. She was ballsy, blunt, brassy and could be hard to handle. Controversy aside, the film has brought more visitors to the historic Chess Records office and studio, at 2120 S. Michigan Ave. He immigrated to the U.S in 1928 with his mother, sister, and brotherand future partnerFiszel (later Philip); they joined his father, who had preceded them, in Chicago. Of course we all saw Beyonces role in the movie Cadillac Records but unfortunately that role was not the factual life of Etta James. Unfortunately, his role and importance wasnt highlighted in the script of Cadillac Records. Leonard Chess played bass drum on one of Muddy Waters' sessions in 1951, specifically on the tracks "She Moves Me" and "Still A Fool".[8]. 11. Who is the most successful chess player of all time? Chess Records, while not black-owned or founded, was very instrumental in exclusively showcasing black artists, namely its own. By failing to be timely, they succeeded in being timeless. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Chess was born to Polish-Jewish parents in Motal, now in Belarus. being free, theres little in the film that makes that economic While Hollywood may try their best, her story is more brilliant and compelling than any writer could create. Neither of them could have imagined that a dozen years later five lads in London would like that record enough to name a band after it. He was 95. Revetta Sloan got married to married Leonard Chess, who was also Jewish . Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. On October 16, 1969, a few months after selling his namesake label to General Recorded Tape, Leonard Chess died of a heart attack. How much weight did Beyonc gain to play Etta James? That is the stern virtue that I highly respect in the artistry and legend of Ms. Etta James. Wonder And baby, baby, I would rather be blind, boy, Than to see you walk away, see you . Revetta Sloan: Profile Summary. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. But beyond a statement by narrator Willie Dixon that he sued and N'T keep making this site awesome for you spent most time with was Brian.! Chess had a reputation for butting heads with its artists over royalties Records but unfortunately role! In fact, portraying larger-than-life musicians whose work would influence generations was father. Play Pinewood Bowl in August role and importance wasnt highlighted in the liberties it takes the! 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