Fall of Chess Records and 2120 South Michigan Avenue

For having such big names of revolutionary artists such as Muddy Waters, I was surprised at how ChessRecords seemingly fell apart after the death of Leo Chess. I imagine that the fall came mainly for the failure to adapt to a new sound. The imprisonment of Chuck Berry, their biggest client probably changed the course and sound of Chess Records. The imprisonment during the beginning of the British invasion was not only devastating for the record company but music in general especially given the influence of Muddy and Chuck Berry on the Brit Pop Bands.

The Rolling Stones for instance was heavily influenced, probably more so than any other major band. The scene in Cadillac Records where Mick Jagger and crew met Muddy Waters was awesome. I looked into if that encounter actually happened and it did (maybe in that account). The Stones recorded an EP (Five By Five) at ChessRecords. One of their songs was fittingly 2120 South Michigan Avenue, the address of Chess' major recording studio.