Author : joe bodego

Born on January 11, 1935, in Chicago, Chuck Barksdale is one of the original members of the R&B group the Dells. The Dells (originally known...

The Dells were one of the finest and longest-lived R&B vocal groups in history, and what’s most amazing is that they did it with nearly...

Bo Diddley, original name Ellas Bates, later Ellas McDaniel, (born December 30, 1928, McComb, Mississippi, U.S.—died June 2, 2008, Archer, Florida), American singer, songwriter, and...

Minnie Julia Riperton-Rudolph, aka Minnie Riperton, was born on November 8, 1947, the youngest of eight children to Thelma and Salleh Riperton, and grew up...

Singer/drummer/songwriter/producer Maurice White founded the ’70s supergroup Earth, Wind & Fire. White, a former session drummer for legendary Chicago-based labels OKeh Records and Chess Records...

World-famous jazz musician and composer Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis, Jr. was first given piano lessons at age four. He was born in Chicago on May 27,...

In 1950s Chicago, two Polish Jewish brothers founded the hugely influential Chess Records label. Working with artists like Chuck Berry and Howlin’ Wolf, they released...

Founded in 1950, Chess Records captured a vibrant new style of American music with roots in the American South that influenced and inspired rock and...

The formidable skills of arranger/producer Charles Stepney are heard on gold and platinum hits by the Dells and Earth, Wind & Fire, as well as...