Blues Unlimited #118 - The Checker Label: Early Classics 1952-1953

In this episode of Blues Unlimited, we delve into the Chess family of labels by taking a look at one of their subsidiary labels -- Checker. Shortly after the Chess label was formally launched in 1950 (which picked up on the heels of where Aristocrat -- the Chess brothers' first label -- left off), they started operations on the Checker label. Although Chess is deservedly famous for it's all-star lineup of Blues legends, Checker would come to be known as the home label to such musical giants as Little Walter, Bo Diddley, and Sonny Boy Williamson (among others), and the first couple years that Checker was in business saw issue to some fine Down Home Blues as well. Here, we take an in-depth look at the Checker label, focusing just on the first couple years of operations. Great, rare, and classic Blues from Little Walter, John Brim, Elmore James, Willie Nix, Morris Pejoe, Woodrow Adams, Arthur "Big Boy" Spires, and more.

In this episode of Blues Unlimited, we delve into the Chess family of labels by taking a look at one of their subsidiary labels -- Checker. Shortly after the Chess label was formally launched in 1950 (which picked up on the heels of where Aristocrat -- the Chess brothers' first label -- left off), they started operations on the Checker label. Although Chess is deservedly famous for it's all-star lineup of Blues legends, Checker would come to be known as the home label to such musical giants as Little Walter, Bo Diddley, and Sonny Boy Williamson (among others), and the first couple years that Checker was in business saw issue to some fine Down Home Blues as well. Here, we take an in-depth look at the Checker label, focusing just on the first couple years of operations. Great, rare, and classic Blues from Little Walter, John Brim, Elmore James, Willie Nix, Morris Pejoe, Woodrow Adams, Arthur "Big Boy" Spires, and more.