Etta James: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1993

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/etta-james/bio/

James met Johnny Otis sometime around 1952 and auditioned. Otis helped James and her girl group obtain a record contract.

The Wallflower (1955):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htpx3opKfKw

She signed with Chess Records and debuted for the label in 1960.

All I Could Do Was Cry (1960):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_i-AI61PEo

Her signature song:

At Last (1961):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZXvLsltu2A

Trust in Me (1961):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMIidaxckeU

She began incorporating Gospel music.

Something’s Got a Hold of Me (1962):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzibSiJv8hc

Stop the Wedding (1962):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giAp973TTbc

Pushover (1963):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIElUwOKtJk

Her career suffered a bit after 1965 until…

Tell Mama (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8pcNIGjJX0

I’d Rather Go Blind (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YApNirMC9gM

Almost Persuaded (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8wnoenztnU

All The Way Down (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOnwNIxo_KM

Leonard Chess died in 1969. She battled drug and alcohol addiction for the next decade. She continued to perform, but never achieved the chart success of the sixties.

There’s Something on My Mind w/B.B. King (1993):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQVNz3HTL5Y

Take Me to the River (1995):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kgogV-AMpo

Take My Hand, Precious Lord w/Chaka Khan and Gladys Knight
(2005):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrxcB6mk0hs

In 2008, she was played by Beyonce in Cadillac Records.

Cadillac Records (2008):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZdMqziDPUU

That same year, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Etta James made her last appearance on Dancing with the Stars in 2009 and died in 2012.

Howlin' Wolf: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1991

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/howlin-wolf/

His life and career in links.
In 1930, he began hanging outside juke joints and became acquainted with Charley Patton. Patton taught him how to play guitar. Wolf performed throughout the 1930s.
He did not begin recording until 1951 at Chess Records and RPM Records.

How Many More Years:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1FK620bS7A

Moanin’ at Midnight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU_wUcwooc8

Smokestack Lightning:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1FK620bS7A

I Asked for Water:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvnvvzfKXC4

Spoonful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyfgb9sDT1I

Little Red Rooster:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vr-DR5HdKw

He died in 1976. According to legend, Eric Clapton purchased his tombstone. He had a profound impact on British rock acts.

The Rolling Stones:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiFnleuNULQ

Cream:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-lRmVOGw3M

The Yardbirds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2mFGqPZqRA

The Four Tops: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1990

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-four-tops/bio/

Official Site:

http://www.thefourtopsoriginal.com/

Their career in links.

In 1956, Levi Stubbs, Duke Fakir, Obie Benson, and Lawrence Payton sang together at a birthday party. They decided to stay together and signed with Chess Records. They changed their name from The Four Aims to The Four Tops and later signed with Motown Records.

Baby I Need Your Loving (1964):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joqjBAJx4ZA

I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3bksUSPB4c

It’s the Same Old Song (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS2nWLz-AbE

Motown was not immune to what was going on in the 60s. The Four Tops echoed the streets with…

Reach Out I’ll Be There (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnDm3qr1Knk

And a more depressed Tops released…

Standing in the Shadows of Love (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhtzMwA5gJI&feature=related

Bernadette (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pVM00eoohI

7 Rooms of Gloom (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZdhvTUZZwI

If I Were a Carpenter (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXX36b_mlMo

Their chief songwriters, Holland-Dozier-Holland quit Motown over a royalty dispute with Berry Gordy. They struggled until 1970.

Still Water (Love) (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NASl6heMzw

It’s All in the Game (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvD7RkEkH5A

River Deep-Mountain High w/The Supremes (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHpH5rnX0Ec

Their Still Waters Run Deep album inspired Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On?

They left Motown in 1972 when Gordy relocated to LA. They joined ABC Records.

Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I Got) (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drotqeAuVRI

In 1980, they signed with Casablanca Records.

When She Was My Girl (1981):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejg-22i4VYQ

They returned to Motown in 1983.

Indestructible (1988):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COtHMn2BUDE

They were scheduled to fly on Pan Am Flight 103, but missed their plane.

Since the late 80s, they have concentrated more on touring and less on recording.

Muddy Waters: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1987

His life and career in links.

The Official Muddy Waters:

http://www.muddywaters.com/

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/muddy-waters/bio/

Born in Mississippi in 1913. Although, he sometimes claimed 1915. He played in the mud as a child leading to his stage name.

1940: Moved to Chicago and was introduced to juke joints and cheap booze.

Country Blues (1941):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCL_LpOlTYA

I Feel Like Going Home (1948):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EoDHWqPhbU

I Can’t Be Satisfied (1948):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSF-T5gwdxU

Waters’ label, Aristocrat, changed it’s name to Chess Records after the twin 1948 hits.

Rollin’ Stone (1950) influenced Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, and Keith Richards and provided a name for their band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_vsvX2qiLM

I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man (1954):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ4NFsw4bOU

I Just Wanna Make Love to You (1954): Written by Willie Dixon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnlvHP1AXPo

Mannish Boy (1955):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS2QQNDHQGk

Got My Mojo Working (1956):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hEYwk0bypY

You Shook Me (1962):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgAPHNgHJdw

Muddy Waters deeply influenced British Rock n Roll. Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Steve Winwood are just some acts Waters impacted.

With the Band (1976):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQzZhkn0h98

Mean Old Frisco Blues (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFqB4ly4-64

In 1981, he performed at ChicagoFest in a now legendary performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtOy0-Ebn2A

His last performance was in 1982 with Eric Clapton. He died in 1983.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJIQeTRoBYQ

Leonard Chess: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1987

His life in links:

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/leonard-chess/bio/

Chess Records: http://www.chessrecords.com/index.html

Chess Records: http://www.history-of-rock.com/chess_records.htm

Chess Records formed in 1949 and became “the greatest repository of black music at mid-century.” Talent included:

Muddy Waters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V25iA2XPzuA

Howlin’ Wolf:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1FK620bS7A

Bo Diddley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3-rf4EgAm8

Chuck Berry:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RAfxiyMKAk

Willie Dixon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6DAdDyWZaQ

Etta James:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_i-AI61PEo

Little Walter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiGpv-UeiDI

Cadillac Records, starring Beyonce and Adrien Brody, documents Chess Records:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1042877/