The music – and the payola – worked as Waters music moved rapidly up the R&B charts. Confident in his decision that this music was “the future” Chess pedaled the records from radio station to radio station across the country, paying out bribes along the way to the White DJ’s if it meant getting airplay for Waters. Engaging but not earth-shattering, it wasn’t until Chess struck a chord mixing Waters with bassist Big Crawford and ultimately the hyperkinetic harmonica player Little Walter that they struck gold. Graphically depicting the turbulence of the segregated 1950’s and 60’s, director Darnell Martin has crafted a colorful tale encompassing racial and ethnic issues, sex, violence, the blues and rock ‘n roll.Įstablishing an early relationship with an unknown Mississippi farm boy named Muddy Waters, Len Chess (and although omitted from the film, his brother Phil) blended Waters’ bluesy rural style with ensemble blues rooted in the sound of old Chicago artists. Chronicling the rise of Chess Records (and taking great liberties with history along the way), CADILLAC RECORDS is the story of Len Chess and his stable of stars who went on to become some of America’s greatest musical legends. And of course, Leonard Chess is known for being one of the catalysts of the Payola scandal that rocked the music industry back in the late 50’s. However, it is because of Chess that you are familiar with recording artists like Etta James, Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Little Walter, John Lee Hooker and Chuck Berry, and even more familiar with the likes of the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and Eric Clapton, the latter three of whom were directly musically influenced by the recording artists at Chess Records. Leonard Chess is name probably not familiar to many of you.
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