Roll over Beethoven: The Chess Records Saga

Chicago's Chess Records was one of the greatest labels of the post-war era, ranking alongside other mighty independents like Atlantic, Stax and Sun. From 1950 till its demise at the end of the 60s, Chess released a myriad of electric blues, rock 'n' roll and soul classics that helped change the landscape of black and white popular music. Chess was the label that gave the world such sonic adventurers as Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Howlin' Wolf and Etta James. In this BBC 4 documentary to mark the label's 60th anniversary, the likes of Jimmy Page, Mick Hucknall, Public Enemy's Chuck D, Paul Jones and Little Steven, as well as those attached to the label such as founder's son Marshall Chess, pay tribute to its extraordinary music and influence.

Loading countdown...
A Singing Girl

A Singing Girl

1942

Brass Knuckle Boys

Brass Knuckle Boys

2009

Straight Outta Compton

Straight Outta Compton

2015

Phantom of the Paradise

Phantom of the Paradise

1974

Hot Rhythm

Hot Rhythm

1944

It Must Schwing: The Blue Note Story

It Must Schwing: The Blue Note Story

2018

Larger than Life: Reign of the Boybands

Larger than Life: Reign of the Boybands

2024

The Last Days of Left Eye

The Last Days of Left Eye

2007

The Man Who Had Power Over Women

The Man Who Had Power Over Women

1970

Going the Distance

Going the Distance

2010

Κατερίνα Γώγου: Για την Αποκατάσταση του Μαύρου

Κατερίνα Γώγου: Για την Αποκατάσταση του Μαύρου

2013

Straight

Straight

2015

You Know What I Mean

You Know What I Mean

2014

PRISM: Whistleblower

PRISM: Whistleblower

2013

I Trust in You

I Trust in You

2016

Cypher

Cypher

2023

Sartana Shoots First

2019

Hommage à Michel Legrand et Jacques Demy au festival Sœurs Jumelles

Hommage à Michel Legrand et Jacques Demy au festival Sœurs Jumelles

2021

Le cinéma de Michel Legrand

2022

Alain Jessua, le franc-tireur du cinéma français

Alain Jessua, le franc-tireur du cinéma français

2021