Did you ever think that anyone from the far north of Alaska, the furthest village at the time, Barrow, my father played and knew how to play the blues! I remember him getting records through the mail that generally took a month from order to be received by mail, the record player was ancient! But, when father played along with the like of Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Buddy Guy! That talent for music has come full circle!

This story really resonates with my grandfather, as he was a huge fan of Little Walter. He's 93 years old and was a one of many African-Americans that migrated north from Mississippi. He went to many of the night clubs mentioned in this documentary. His brother was mandolin player, Johnny Young, who also recorded blues records. He played with greats like Muddy Waters, Little Walter, and Big Walter Horton.

As my grandfather watched this documentary, he experienced wonderful glimmers and glimpses of his colorful past. I loved listening to his personal stories and commentary throughout the film. Thank you for posting this beautiful gem of music history.

You don't see documentaries like this here. England prizes the things which made us as unique and innovative as we once were.

There is a single moment in the film, in the house when Adrian & Jeffrey are discussing Walter 's funeral, when Jeffrey turns his head slightly & his eyes look like Muddy --- they caught it in that moment.  I saw the film but I "lived" Chess .... Broke down once in the film, scene where Walter & Muddy are recording "40 Days & 40 Nights.... hit me hard... Leaned over in film & bawled-- silently.  It's called Blues in the DNA.

Chess son is so happy he’s not black, he grew up around blacks he seen blacks walking threw chess doors with holes in thr shoes trying to get deals,thts when he saw how record deals change blacks lives. Black males are born with anchors around our necks...thats why were so strong 💪🏾

The Rolling Stones idols and influences came from Chicago.

Saw Cadillac Records, Little Walter was a sad case. Died so young.

These guys are great, Muddy, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, and don't forget, Buddy Guy,  Etta James, Willie Dixon. Also, thank you Leonard Chess, Les Paul, Bing Crosby for giving us electric guitars and multi track recorders. Too many stars to list here but the brotherhood of music moves on.

my grandmother dated howling wolf for along time.. she used to tell us all kinds of crazy stories about these guys,,  I was born and raised in chicago ,(i was born in 65 on the west side,, k town) anyway, she said little walter was really mean acoholic,, he would carry a straight razor all the time and would fight at the drop of a hat about anything,, i left there in 88, recently went back there 2018,it; has changed alot there now

Chess/Checker/Argo, VeeJay, King/Federal, Atlantic, Duke/Peacock,  Excello/Nashboro, United/States, RPM, Savoy, Gee, Josie, Hull, so many more - the great independent labels of the 1950's.  But Chess can certainly stake a claim to having been the best.  

Some great musicians here

watch 'cadillac records.' you wont regret it

its a heart break that all the master tapes went up in flames back in 2015 i think !! along with many many original masters from other classic lables !! heart break

They blew into Chicago because of opportunity, mostly... a shot at a better life. And a grittier, urban shaped blues, howled out.

No Chess records

No Rolling Stones
And many more

They sure get a lot of mileage out of suggesting that Leonard Chess had something to do with the rise of the electric guitar in blues, considering that he didn't. Electric guitar was completely normal on blues, whether by Arthur Crudup, Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, or whoever, in the years just before Aristocrat/Chess was formed.

Well done

Love the movie👌🏻

muddy waters es un genio del blues

Wow! Great documentary!!!