S2 E85 - Marshall Chess & Keith Leblanc

Drum Channel Podcast

Hello everyone! Billy Amendola here, and my show today is one of my “Billy’s Bubble” segments, featuring Marshall Chess, the son of Chess Records founder Leonard Chess. Chess, a Polish/Jewish immigrant, and his brother Phil created what many describe as “America’s Greatest Blues label.”

You’ve heard of Willie Dixon, Howlin Wolf, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, and other legendary blues musicians from The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and The Beatles. They all were pioneers on the legendary label.

My guest, Marshal Chess, now 81 years young, grew up in the studio and became vice-president in 1969 before going on to become president of GRT, and then creating Rolling Stones Records, and becoming executive producer of The Rolling Stones albums “Sticky Fingers” and “Exile on Main Street.

Also featured on the show is Marshal’s long-time collaborator, producer/drummer/engineer Keith Leblanc. The two met at SugarHill Records and have worked together since.

They now have a new record, “The Chess Project,” featuring seasoned players and singers who reinterpret Chess gems from Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Memphis Slim, Little Walter, and Sonny Boy Williamson. The album is titled “New Moves.”

Keith, both an acoustic drummer and a pioneer in programming and playing drum machines and electronic loops, became known with his band Tackhead, who were successful in Europe, where Keith lived for a few years. His solo record, “No Sell Out,” is one of the first sample-based releases.

Keith kick-started his career at SugarHill Records and later Tommy Boy Records, two of the most successful labels in hip-hop and dance music.

In the ’90s, Keith worked in the studio with producer Trevor Horn in the UK, programming, and playing drums with Annie Lennox, Tina Turner, and Seal’s first album, among others.

Let’s dive into this historical career with two pioneers in our industry and welcome Marshal & Keith to Drum Channel. Enjoy!