Phil Chess

Phil Chess was born on March 27, 1921 in Motol, Poland as Fiszel Czyz. He was married to Sheva Jonesi.

He and his brother, Leonard Chess, founded the Chess record label in 1950, recording blues artists such as Muddy Waters, Etta James, Howlin' Wolf, and Buddy Guy. In 1951, the label released what some consider to be the first rock-and-roll record: "Rocket '88," by Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats.

Founded, with brother Leonard Chess, Checker Records (1952-69).

Brothers Phil and Leonard Chess founded Chess Records in 1950. The label recorded not only blues artists but also the early rock 'n' roll of Chuck Berry, and Etta James' rich vocal stylings. It was Chess Records that helped raise the city of Chicago to its status as the capital of blues, recalled musician Buddy Guy. "Phil and Leonard were cutting the type of music nobody else was paying attention to - 'Muddy, Howling' Wolf,' 'Little Walter,' 'Sonny Boy,' 'Jimmy Rogers,' I could go on and on," Buddy Guy, who recorded at Chess Records reported in a L.A. Times, Wednesday, September 19th, 2016 interview statement. The Chess brothers, Leonard and Phil, started out with a liquor store, then ran the Macomba Lounge night-club and music venue and eventually got into the music recording business, though neither had ever played an instrument. Chess Records' first release was a Gene Ammons version of "My Foolish Heart." Then came Muddy Waters' "Rollin' Stone" - a song so influential it inspired the name of the British rock band and the magazine publication.