Get a closer look at some of Hollywood's perfect pairs.

Hollywood Power Couples

Get a closer look at some of Hollywood&#39;s perfect pairs.

"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

2026 Fall TV and Streaming Watch Guide

&quot;The Gentlemen&quot; and &quot;Slow Horses&quot; return this fall, while the &quot;Reacher&quot; spin-off series &quot;Neagley&quot; makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

Get a closer look at these actors from their many TV and streaming series roles.

Streaming Stars, Then and Now

Record-company executive and music-industry giant Leonard Chess was born Lejzor Czyz in a Jewish ghetto in Motel, Poland, in 1917. His father emigrated to the US, settling in Chicago and getting into the liquor business, and when he had established himself there he sent for the rest of his family in 1928. The family name was changed to Chess and Lejzor became Leonard. His brother, Fiszel, became Phil Chess, who later joined Leonard in the music business.

In 1938 Leonard and Phil bought several taverns in Chicago, including the Macomba Lounge on the city's South Side, which featured many jazz and blues players. Noticing that the artists in their clubs had no place to record, in 1947 Leonard invested in a start-up record label, Aristocrat Records. By 1950 he had bought out his partners, and he and brother Phil became sole owners and renamed the label Chess Records. They signed such artists as Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Sonny Boy Williamson I and Chuck Berry, among others. The label eventually expanded its scope from blues and jazz artists to include rock, R&B, gospel, spoken-word and even comedy artists. Leonard and Phil built Chess Records (and its subsidiary labels Checker, Argo and Cadet) into one of the biggest and most respected independent labels in the business.

Leonard Chess died of a heart attack in 1969.

In 1947 he was one of the investors in a record label, Aristocrat Records. By 1950 he had bought out his partners and he and brother <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm2719483/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Phil Chess</a> became sole owners of the label, which they renamed Chess Records.

Father of <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm0156266/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Marshall Chess</a>.

Founded, with brother <a class="ipc-md-link ipc-md-link--entity" href="/name/nm5516313/?ref_=nmtrv_trv">Leonard Chess</a>, Checker Records (1952-69).

Trivia

Leonard Chess

Contribute to this page

More from this person

More to explore

Recently viewed