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John Collis - The Story of Chess Records (2nd Hand Hardback) | Campsie Books

John Collis - The Story of Chess Records (2nd Hand Hardback)

£9.95
SKU B002075
Synopsis

This book tells the story of the revolution in music that is Chicago Blues.

If one man can be credited with creating the language of rock 'n' roll it is Chuck Berry. In the early 1950's he was just an ambitious Nat "King" Cole imitator gigging in St Louis, but ten years after moving to Chicago and cutting is first hit, "Maybelline", in 1955, he built a catalogue of classics that inspired the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and every rock musician since.

Meanwhile his Chicago rival Bo Diddley, the earthiest and arguably the most exciting of the rock 'n' roll performers, was reminding us that this music was just a step away from the blues. Although he was raised in Chicago, his music was a bizarre, electric version of the blues of his birthplace, Mississippi.

Between them Chuck and Bo caused a revolution in Chicago blues, hitherto largely unknown to white America and the mass market. Both were signed to Chess Records, established by Eastern European immigrants, the Chess brothers, who provided the shop window for Chicago bluesmen, while also conforming to a now all-too-familiar pattern, as white entrepreneurs exploiting black talent.

The Story of Chess Records both examines the subject of exploitation within the record business and celebrated the music of many unique and important artists (Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, Etta James, Koko Taylor, etc) and the extraordinarily fertile blues environment out of which they grew.

Details
  • Format : Square 2nd Hardback with Dust Jacket
  • Condition : Very Good
  • Category : Non-Fiction - Music, Stage, Screen & TV
  • Published : 1998 (Bloomsbury - 1st Edition)
  • ISBN : 9780747537137
  • SKU : B002075
  • PPC : LL500gm
  • RRP : £20 (Unclipped)
  • Quantity Available : 1 only.

Full Colour, glossy & well illustrated.

External Reviews

"Collis has produced a responsible, amply illustrated account, reproducing concert posters, album covers, publicity shots and a wealth of performance photos, all wittily captioned." - Publishers Weekly.

Please Note : The faded parts of the dust jacket are part of the artwork.

The Author

John Collis is a freelance writer whose recent books include Van Morrison: Inarticulate Speech of the Heart, and The Blues: Its Roots and Inspirations. He lives in London, England.