Near South Side

Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation (Chess Records)

2120 S. Michigan Ave.

Fine Arts

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Saturday

closed

Sunday

10am - 5pm

Accessibility & Amenities

  • Photography Allowed
  • Restrooms Available

Architect

Horatio R. Wilson

Year Completed

1911

OHC appearances

New

DETAILS:

2120 South Michigan Ave is known as the site of some of the world's most influential Blues and Rock n' Roll music recordings, including "Johnny B. Goode," "Rescue Me," and "Red Rooster." Between 1957 and 1967, brothers Leonard and Phil Chess made this modest facility the creative home for such artists as Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, and Chuck Berry. Many of these musicians were southern-born African-Americans who had come to Chicago in the Great Migration. The notoriety of Chess Records inspired other musicians to record here in the mid 1960s, including the Rolling Stones and the Yardbirds.

VISITOR EXPERIENCE:

Non-profit organization Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation has been providing tours of the Chess Records building for years. They will facilitate access to the building for OHC, including the historic studios on the second floor.

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