The Chess Records roster included Etta James, Howlin’ Wolf, Ike Turner, Bo Diddley, Buddy Guy and Chuck Berry — all black musicians, which wasn’t always an easy sell on radio in the 1950s. 

What happened to Chess from Chess Records?

Chess Records was an American record company established in 1950 in Chicago, specializing in blues and rhythm and blues. It was the successor to Aristocrat Records, founded in 1947.