In 1955, on a vacation trip to Chicago a young singer and guitar player from St. Louis named Chuck Berry met Muddy Waters, who encouraged him to see the Chess brothers. Chuck Berry auditioned for them with a song he had written called “Ida Red”, Leonard and Phil liked the song but suggested a name change, the song was renamed “Maybellene” and became the first of his many Top 40 hits. With Chuck Berry, Chess Records had a singer whose sound could not be duplicated with cover records by white recording artists. Chuck Berry recorded for the Chess brothers for many years producing hit after hit.
Roll Over Beethoven
Johnny B. Goode
Another singer/songwriter who could not be duplicated was discovered by Chess in 1955. His name was Elias McDaniels, who had moved from Mississippi to Chicago with his family as a boy. He auditioned for the Chess brothers with a song he had written called “Uncle John”. Again, they liked the song but not the title, so McDaniels changed it to his own nickname, one that he had used as an amateur boxer, Bo Diddley. The Chess brothers signed Bo Diddley to a long term contract. His distinctive “Shave and a Haircut” rhythm was a staple on Checker Records for many years. His biggest hit was the self titled “Bo Diddley” backed with “I’m a Man” in 1955.
Hey! Bo Diddley
During the 1950s, a young teen by the name of Jamesetta Hawkins, with a soaring bluesy gospel voice, toured with Johnny Otis, Little Richard, Otis Redding, and Johnny “Guitar” Watson, witnessing firsthand a lifestyle not experienced by many teens. She had her first hit single when she was 15 years of age and went steady with B.B. King when she was 16. She believed the hit single “Sweet Sixteen” by King was about her. After failing to chart with released songs on Modern Records, she left the label to sign with Chicago’s Chess Records. Etta James y’all.
Something’s Got A Hold On Me
At Last