A Guide to His Papers at the Indiana University Archives of African
American Music and Culture
Collection is restricted to onsite access for educational use only. NEH grant
materials (Series 1. Production materials, Box 1, Folders 1-5) are closed to the
public.
Michael D. McAlpin has had a long and distinguished career as a public television
producer. Following the completion of a BA in Broadcast Communications at Columbia
College in 1983, he served as a video production assistant for the Continental Bank
in Chicago until 1986, as producer and director for Advanced Systems Inc. from 1986
to 1988, and as writer, prodcuer, and director for Arielle Productions from
1988-1990.
Beginning in 1990, McAlpin became a segment and associate producer for WTTW in
Chicago. Among his many projects were the Emmy-nominated
Artbeat Chicago (1997) and
Record Row: Cradle of
Rhythm & Blues
(1996), the latter of which received honorary mention
from the National Black Programming Consortiums' Prized Pieces awards, an
educational fellowship from the International Public Television Screening
Conference, and an IRIS Award from the National Association of Television
Programmers & Executives.
Following his time at WTTW, McAlpin served as a writer and producer for flagship PBS
content provider, WGBH (Boston), for nearly a decade. His work included the
award-wining evening news show,
Greater Boston, which
examined educational issues affecting K-12 public school students in Massachusetts
including high-stakes testing, the failings of the No Child Left Behind Act, and the
crisis of rising high school dropout rates for Latino and African-American teens. He
also produced WGBH’s series
Basic Black, the longest
running African-American public affairs show in the nation and an examination of the
impact of jazz and rhythm and blues within the Civil Rights Movement.
McAlpin has received an Emmy Award, multiple Emmy Award nominations, and several
prestigious industry fellowships, including the Nieman Fellowship for Journalism at
Harvard University.
Since November 2008, McAlpin has served as the Director of Media Relations at Saint
Mary's College of California.
The Michael McAlpin Collection consists primarily of print materials used in the
production of the PBS television documentary
Record Row: the
Cradle of Rhythm and Blues
, which first aired in February 1997. VHS
tapes of the rough cut and final broadcast versions of the documentary as well as
local coverage by PBS station WTIU (Bloomington, IN) are also included. Complete
transcripts of interviews conducted for the documentary feature many prominent
scholars, musicians, and industry professionals. Between 1950 and 1980, Chicago was
home to a score of independent recording companies, most notably Chess Records.
Produced by McAlpin,
Record Row tells the story of
the birth and emergence of the rhythm and blues and soul music industry along a
12-block stretch of South Michigan Avenue known as Chicago's "Music Mile" or "Record
Row." It is the story of a group of men and women, largely African American, whose
ambition, talent, and business skills created the Chicago sound - a musical style
that revolutionized popular music around the world.
AAAMC director, Dr. Portia Maultsby, served as a consultant and collaborator during
the creation of the documentary.
An audiotaped interview with Michael McAlpin by AAAMC staff member Stephanie Shonekan
regarding his collection and the project is also available (shelf number: cass
2487).
Please note that the AAAMC holds only the transcripts for the interviews and not the
interview tapes themselves.
See staff interview collection for interview with Michael McAlpin by former AAAMC
staff member, Stephanie Shonekan
Location of original audio tapes unknown, but possibly in the possession of WTTW-TV,
Chicago.
Series:
2. Interview Transcripts, circa 1994
Note:
The transcripts in this collection are likely to contain errors. Copies of
the audio recordings are not available for fact checking.
Box 2
Folder 1
Abner, Ewart (1923–1997), undated
Collector's No(s).
B5--B8
Physical Description
80 leaves
Biographical Information on Interviewee
Abner, Ewart (1923–1997): American record
company executive affiliated with Vee-Jay Records from 1955-1961;
Constellation Records in 1963-1966; and Motown Records 1966-1975.
Manager for Stevie Wonder beginning in 1975; Co-founder of Black Museum
Association in 1978.
Interview summary
B5: Topics include black migration from
Southern States, discrimination, working at Armor Record Pressing,
studying at DePaul University, American Record Distributing, Art
Sheridan and Sheridan Record Distributing, Chance Records, Moonglows,
Allen Freed, Harvey Fuqua, Motown Records, affiliation with Vee-Jay
Records, Vivian Carter, James Bracken, Calvin Carter, Ernie Leaner
(Chicago's first Black record distributor), The Spaniels, Lou Simpkins,
and radio promotions.
B6: Topics include Vee-Jay Records, The
Beatles, the black record industry, discrimination, black radio, Gene
Chandler ("Duke of Earl" recording artist), Bill Shepard, The Spaniels
("Good Night Sweetheart"), Calvin Carter, The Impressions.
B7: Topics include Jimmy Reed, Vee-Jay
Records, National Association of Television and Radio Announcers,
Roebuck "Pops" Staples, Chess Records, Record Row, competition in the
record industry, Abner leaving Vee-Jay records, Constellation Records.
B8: Topics include Capitol's lawsuit against
Vee-Jay Records, Vee-Jay moving to California, The Beatles, Abner
returning to Vee-Jay, The Four Seasons, Vee-Jay returning to Chicago,
Vee-Jay filing for bankruptcy, Chess Records.
Box 2
Folder 2
Barksdale, Chuck (1935- ), undated
Collector's No(s).
8--10
Physical Description
44 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Barksdale, Chuck (1935- ): Original member of
R&B group the Dells; member of the Marquees and the Cats & the
Fiddle.
Interview summary
8, 9, and 10 (single transcript): Topics
include Chess Records, working with Bobby Miller and Charles Stepney,
recording at Chess Records, Minnie Ripperton (uncredited background
vocalist), Riley Hampton, recording "Stay In My Corner," singing backup
for other artists, working on Record Row, the Dells leaving Chess
Records for Vee-Jay, changing their group name from the El-Rays to the
Dells, Vivian Carter, Leonard Chess's death, the Dells' contract with
Chess Records, the legacy of Record Row, the Civil Rights Era, Calvin
Carter, Vee-Jay Records closing, growing up in Chicago, Curtis Mayfield.
Box 2
Folder 3
Bass, Fontella (1940- ), undated
Collector's No(s).
1E--3E
Physical Description
58 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Bass, Fontella (1940- ): R&B Singer known
for her hit soul performance of "Rescue Me."
Interview summary
1E: Topics include Chess Records, recording
"Rescue Me," royalties, Leonard and Phil Chess, connections between soul
and gospel music, changes in black music in the 1960s, Billy Stewart.
2E: Topics include the Chicago Sound, a
typical Chess Records session, Leonard and Phil Chess, becoming an
R&B artist instead of a gospel artist, the collapse of the record
industry in Chicago, WVON.
3E: Topics include Bass's complaining about
royalties to Leonard Chess, picture identification, the Civil Rights
Movement, Curtis Mayfield, the Chicago music scene, recording sessions
in the Chess studios, Hollywood-A-Go-Go.
Box 2
Folder 3.1
Bass, Ralph (1911-1997), undated
Collector's No(s).
3D--4D
Physical Description
15 leaves, 15 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Bass, Ralph (1911-1997): R&B record
producer for King, Chess, Savoy, Black & White, and Federal Records.
Discoverer of James Brown.
Interview summary
3D: Topics include signing James Brown to King
Records, Leonard Chess, origins of the term race music, Ernie and George
Leaner (Chicago record industry), signing Little Esther, discrimination
in the southern United States, acts he recorded at Chess, Ramsey Lewis,
Errol Gardener, Moms Mabley, Pig Meat Markham.
4D: Topics include signing and recording Etta
James, WVON, the importance of black radio and juke box operators to the
recording industry, the success of "Open The Door, Richard," Al Benson,
the demise of Chess Records, the importance of Chicago blues.
Box 2
Folder 4
Bell, Al (1940- ), undated
Collector's No(s).
2B--4B
Physical Description
32 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Bell, Al (1940- ): Record producer and
executive affiliated with Stax Records.
Interview summary
2B: Topics include Bellmark Records, the
Chicago record industry, Vee-Jay Records, the lack of a music Mecca, the
demise of independent labels, lack of artist development, racism in the
demise of Record Row.
3B: Topics include the demise of independent
record labels, racial discrimination, United Record Distributors, George
and Ernie Leaner, integration's role in closing Record Row.
4B: Chicago's importance to American popular
music, The Dells, The Moonglows.
Box 2
Folder 5
Butler, Jerry (1939- ), undated
Collector's No(s).
15C--18C
Physical Description
59 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Butler, Jerry (1939- ): Chicago-based soul
singer who performed with the Impressions.
Interview summary
15C: Topics include a description of Chicago
in the 1950s, including the music scene, Butler's musical style, working
with Curtis Mayfield in The Impressions, Ewart Abner, singing for Calvin
Carter at Vee-Jay Records, recording "For Your Precious Love," Record Row.
16C: Topics include writing and recording
"For Your Precious Love," why the R&B industry was successful in
Chicago, how people entered the music industry in the 1950s, Leonard
Chess, the Leaner Brothers, Vee-Jay Records, Calvin Carter.
17C: Topics include Vee-Jay going bankrupt,
discrimination in the history of rock and roll, the demise of Record Row.
18C: Topics include Phil Upchurch, Curtis
Mayfield, entrepreneurship in the music industry, the Chicago sound, the
legacy of Record Row, similarities between Record Row and the Negro
Baseball Leagues, the relationship between music and the Civil Rights
Movement, Butler's favorite Chicago musicians.
Box 2
Folder 6
Chandler, Gene (1937- ), undated
Collector's No(s).
18A--18B
Physical Description
54 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Chandler, Gene (1937- ): Chicago-based soul
singer most famous for the song "Duke of Earl."
Interview summary
18A: Topics include the demise of Vee-Jay
records, independent record labels, Jerry Butler, exploitative record
contracts, the song "Duke of Earl," music publishing, mistakes made by
young musicians, the Chitlin Circuit, the influence of the Civil Rights
Movement on Record Row.
18B: Topics include Record Row, business
lessons he learned being on Record Row, recording for Vee-Jay Records,
changing his name to Gene Chandler, the song "Duke of Earl," Ewart
Abner, Calvin Carter, A&R, Vivian Carter, differences between
Vee-Jay and Motown, recording the song "Rainbow," Curtis Mayfield, the
demise of Vee-Jay, Ernie and George Leaner and United Record
Distributors, the demise of Record Row.
Box 2
Folder 7
Chess, Phil and Marshall Chess, undated
Collector's No(s).
9D--13D
Physical Description
91 leaves
Note
Interview is mostly with Davis. See also "Chess, Marshall," "Chess,
Marshall and Billy Davis," and "Chess, Phil" interviews.
Biographical Information about Interviewees
Chess, Phil (1921- ): R&B producer and
co-founder of Chess Records.
Chess, Marshall (1942 -): Chicago blues
producer who is the son of Leonard Chess.
Interview summary
9D: Topics include what made Record Row
unique, why Chess Records and other labels moved to the Record Row area,
Bat's Restaurant, United Record Distributors, the possibility of great
success in the record industry, Atlantic Records, black radio, Al Benson.
10D: Topics include why Phil and Leonard
Chess purchased WVON, black radio, lack of airplay for black artists on
white radio, why major labels weren't recording black artists, Leonard
and Phil Chess emigrating from Poland, how they heard black music
growing up, discrimination, Phil and Leonard opening the Macombo Lounge.
11D: Topics include the Macombo Lounge, Phil
and Leonard getting into the recording industry, Leonard Chess, their
roles at Chess Records, looking for artists to record.
12D: Record Row's effect on the music scene,
blues musicians using electric instruments, the Chess sound, the
influence of Chess Records on rock and roll, Bo Diddley appearing on the
Ed Sullivan Show, Chess's cross-over audience, cover records, the
beginning of soul music.
13D: Topics include Etta James's sound and
her relationship with Leonard Chess, the songs "Tell Mama" and "At
Last," Chess Records' market goals, artists who were important to Chess
Records, Leonard Chess's death, competition with Vee-Jay Records,
selling Chess Records.
Box 2
Folder 8
Chess, Marshall, undated
Collector's No(s).
14D
Physical Description
18 leaves
Note
See also "Chess, Phil and Marshall Chess" and "Chess, Marshall and Billy
Davis" interviews.
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Chess, Marshall (1942- ): Chicago blues
producer who is the son of Leonard Chess.
Interview summary
14D: Topics include how Leonard Chess related
to others, WVON, the audience for Record Row's product, competition
between major labels and independent labels, black business
opportunities in Chicago, Charles Stepney, cross-over strategies, the
Civil Rights Movement, publishing and royalties.
Box 2
Folder 9
Chess, Marshall and Billy Davis, undated
Collector's No(s).
15D
Physical Description
14 leaves
Note
See also "Chess, Phil and Marshall Chess," "Chess, Marshall," and "Davis,
Billy" interviews.
Biographical Information about Interviewees
Chess, Marshall (1942- ): Chicago blues
producer who is the son of Leonard Chess.
Davis, Billy (1932-2004): R&B producer,
songwriter, and executive particularly known for his work with Chess
Records.
Interview summary
15D: Davis discusses coming to Chess Records
and the Chicago music scene in the 1960s, his job at Chess Records, Etta
James, differences between Vee-Jay and Chess Records, black business
opportunities in the early independent recording industry. Marshall
speaks briefly on Chess Records at the beginning of the interview.
Box 2
Folder 10
Chess, Phil, 1994 October 14
Collector's No(s).
[not assigned]
Physical Description
39 leaves
Note
Many names and places in this interview were not transcribed. Ends with
an unanswered question from the interviewer. See also "Chess, Phil and
Marshall Chess" interview.
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Chess, Phil (1921- ): R&B producer and
co-founder of Chess Records.
Interview summary
Topics include Chess's relationship with the African American community,
Chess artists Fontella Bass and Billie Stuart, important Record Row
figures that should be interviewed for the documentary, the impact of
Record Row on popular music, Phil Chess's favorite music, accusations of
discriminatory business practices with Chess artists, Barry Gordy,
independent record companies, Quincy Jones, black radio, WVON and WNOV,
record labels that were on Record Row, how the Chess brothers got into
black music, blues music, Vivian Carter, the development of Record
Row.
Box 2
Folder 11
Clark, Dick, undated
Collector's No(s).
13B
Physical Description
19 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Clark, Dick (1929- ): Host of
American Bandstand and producer instrumental
in the popularity and dissemination or early R&B, rock ‘n' roll, doo
wop, and other popular music genres.
Interview summary
13B: Topics include discrimination in the
record industry, covers, important Chicago record labels, Curtis
Mayfield, relationship between black music and race relations in the
United States, why Chicago spawned so many black artists, independent
record labels, Leonard Chess, accusations of fraud in the Chicago record
industry, the Chicago sound, Major Lance, the national importance of the
Chicago scene, Dee Clark.
Box 2
Folder 12
Cordell, Lucky, undated
Collector's No(s).
19C--21C
Physical Description
40 leaves
Access Restrictions
Additional telephone interview with Cordell (box 2, folder 13) was
recorded "off record" and is closed to the public.
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Cordell, Lucky (1928- ): Disc jockey, program
manager, musical director, and radio industry executive best known for
his work at WVON in Chicago in the 1960s and 1970s; also known as "The
Baron of Bounce."
Interview summary
19C: Topics include Jack Cooper, Al Benson,
Leonard Chess, the relationship between radio, the black community and
black music, WVON, radio playlists, working as a disc jockey.
20C: Topics include WVON's competition, Don
Cornelius, WVON's relationship with independent record labels including
Chess Records, Ernie and George Leaner, United Records, Leonard Chess.
21C: Topics include Leonard Chess's death,
Martin Luther King being interviewed on WVON, the relationship between
the black community and WVON, the demise of Record Row, payola.
Box 2
Folder 14
Cornelius, Don, undated
Collector's No(s).
22, 23, 1B
Physical Description
29 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Cornelius, Don (1936- ): American television
show host and producer best known for his role as the creator and host
of the nationally syndicated music program
Soul
Train
. Also an early employee of WVON in Chicago.
Interview summary
22: Topics include WVON, WVON disc jockeys,
Leonard Chess, leaving WVON to start
Soul
Train
, the influence of Chicago R&B on
Soul Train, Jerry Butler.
23: Topics include Chicago-area recording
artists, the rack system for music merchandising, Carl Davis, Curtis
Mayfield, black entrepreneurship, Soul Train, the legacy of the Chicago
black music scene.
1B: Topics include the legacy of the Chicago
black music scene, the then-current recording industry, comparing Record
Row and the Negro Baseball Leagues, Curtis Mayfield.
Daniels, George,
Note
See "Learner, Bill and George Daniels" interview.
Box 2
Folder 15
Davis, Billy, undated
Collector's No(s).
16D--18D
Physical Description
33 leaves
Note
See also "Marshall, Chess and Billy Davis" interview.
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Davis, Billy (1932-2004): R&B producer,
songwriter, and executive particularly known for his work with Chess
Records.
Interview summary
16D: Topics include the major record labels
moving into the R&B market, Leonard Chess, WVON, Chess Records
recording soul music, Leonard Chess's interactions with artists, the
differences between R&B and soul music, the relationship between
Motown and Chess Records, Barry Gordy, Etta James.
17D: Topics include the Chicago music
industry in the early 1960s, Chess Records being sold, the demise of the
Chicago music scene, Leonard Chess's death and accusations of Chess
underpaying artists, why Leonard Chess got into radio, the relationship
between radio play on WVON and record sales, Leaner Brothers
(distributors), the collapse of the Leaner Brothers' business.
18D: Topics include the collapse of the
Leaner Brothers' business (cont.).
Box 2
Folder 16
Davis, Carl, undated
Collector's No(s).
14--18
Physical Description
70 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Davis, Carl (1934- ): Producer and A&R man
for labels such as Okeh and Brunswick who helped shape the sound of
Chicago soul in the 1960s and 1970s.
Interview summary
14: Topics include general impressions of the
past and present Chicago R&B scene, why Record Row developed on
Michigan Avenue, Vee-Jay Records, the Chicago sound, Record Row, Al
Benson's radio work, meeting Al Benson, Van "Skeet" Holmes (jazz disc jockey).
15: Topics include Davis's time working for
Al Benson, why certain records became popular, "singing melody,"
important artists who came out of Record Row, Vivian Carter, Jimmy
Bracken and Vee-Jay Records, the collapse of Vee-Jay, Davis's work for
Okeh Records.
16: Topics include Davis's experiences with
the Chitlin Circuit, discrimination, Calvin Carter (A&R for
Vee-Jay), the song "Duke of Earl," Chess Records, Leonard Chess using
derogatory language, other labels on Record Row, the meaning of the term
"race music," the legacy of Record Row.
17: Topics include Major Lance (recording
artist) and Curtis Mayfield, Gene Chandler and the song "Rainbow,"
Curtis Mayfield's personality, Motown Records, Leonard Chess's death,
the local and national importance of WVON, the demise of Record Row, the
meaning of the term "one stop," the demise of United (distributor).
18: Topics include the legacy of Record Row,
comparison of Record Row with the Negro Baseball Leagues.
Box 2
Folder 17
Diddley, Bo, undated
Collector's No(s).
1C
Physical Description
17 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Diddley, Bo (1928-2008): R&B and blues
guitarist whose Bo Diddley beat served as one of the hallmark rhythms of
rock ‘n' roll.
Interview summary
1C: Topics include Diddley being turned away
from Vee-Jay and going to Chess Records, Willie Dixon, discrimination,
the racial politics of the term "rock and roll," the Chicago sound,
publishing, business practices at Chess Records, Leonard Chess's death,
Diddley's appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, the legacy of Record
Row.
Box 2
Folder 18
George, Nelson, undated
Collector's No(s).
14B--15B
Physical Description
26 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
George, Nelson: Author, filmmaker, television
producer, and critic specializing in the analysis and presentation of
the diverse elements of African American culture.
Interview summary
14B: Topics include the success of Vee-Jay
Records, Vivian Carter, the demise of the Chicago scene, the Chicago
sound, Curtis Mayfield, the demise of Vee-Jay Records, the Beatles,
Calvin Carter.
15B: Topics include Ewart Abner's role in
Vee-Jay's demise, comparison between Record Row and the Negro Baseball
Leagues, WVON and its relationship to black music, Don Cornelius and
Soul Train, the role of major labels
in the demise of the Chicago music scene, the economics of black music.
Box 2
Folder 19
Guy, Buddy, undated
Collector's No(s).
5D--6D
Physical Description
37 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Guy, Buddy (1936- ): Chicago blues guitarist
and vocalist who recorded for Cobra, Chess, Vanguard, Delmark, Atlantic,
and several other labels.
Interview summary
5D: Topics include Muddy Waters and his impact
on Guy, Guy's coming to Chicago and going to Chess Records, the
difference between blues and R&B, Vee-Jay Records, Jimmy Reed,
playing in Chicago clubs, Willie Dixon, meeting Leonard Chess, Guy's
impact on other guitarists.
6D: Topics include the largely white audience
for blues music, Curtis Mayfield, session musicians at Chess, the
Chicago sound, why Chicago became known as a blues town, Leonard Chess,
the legacy of the Chicago blues and R&B scene.
Box 2
Folder 20
Hudson, Pookie, undated
Collector's No(s).
22B--23B
Physical Description
37 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Hudson, Pookie (1934- ): Lead singer for the
doo wop group, the Spaniels, known for songs such as "Goodnight
Sweetheart, Goodnight."
Interview summary
22B: Topics include Spaniels personnel, the
formation of the Spaniels, meeting Vivian Carter and Jimmy Bracken with
Vee-Jay, Jimmy Reed, the role of the Spaniels in the success of Vee-Jay,
the McGuire Sisters covering the Spaniels' records, the song "Goodnight
Sweetheart," the legacy of Vee-Jay, the Spaniels' place in R&B history.
23B: Topics include the Spaniels' sound, not
being allowed to record "The Twist," Calvin Carter, problems getting
royalties from Vee-Jay, Vivian Carter's role in the demise of Vee-Jay,
the legacy of Vee-Jay's business practices, hearing his music on the
radio for the first time, the legacy of the Chicago music scene.
Box 3
Folder 1
Kent, Herb, 1994 October 19
Collector's No(s).
3--5
Physical Description
49 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Kent, Herb: Chicago-based radio personality
who worked on WBEZ, WGES, and WVON.
Interview summary
3: Topics include memories of WVON, the
beginning of WVON, the black radio format.
4: Topics include the reasons Leonard Chess
started WVON, business practices at Chess Records, the impact of WVON on
black music, "breaking" a record (i.e. making a record into a hit), the
mood of the country when WVON began broadcasting, the Chicago sound, the
demise of the Chicago record industry, the term "Record Row," Dee Clark.
5: Topics include Vivian Carter and Jimmy
Bracken (Vee-Jay Records), the decline of Vee-Jay Records, the influence
of the Chicago independent labels on the music industry, problems
getting royalties from record companies, the legacy of Record Row, the
song "Stay in my Corner" and other hits by the Dells, Record Row artists
that are still performing, Leonard Chess's death, WVON's involvement in
the Civil Rights Movement.
Box 3
Folder 2
Learner, Bill and George Daniels, undated
Collector's No(s).
10C--14C
Physical Description
75 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewees
Leaner, Bill: Son/nephew of Ernie and George
Leaner of United Record Distributors.
Daniels, George: Owner of the Midwest's
largest independent music retail store, George's Music Room
(Chicago).
Interview summary
10C: Topics include Leaner's memory of United
Record Distributors, the atmosphere of Record Row, radio in Chicago's
black music scene, Al Benson's connection to United Record Distributors,
Ernie and George Leaner, Daniels discusses his involvement with the
Leaners, the difference between one-stops and distributors, record
distribution benefiting the black community.
11C: Topics include United Distributors
working with white companies, cross-over hits, radio marketing, the
relationship between WVON and Chess Records, personality radio.
12C: [portions not transcribed because they
were inaudible]: Topics include the business of record distribution,
memories of Record Row in the 1950s and 1960s, marketing records, the
decline of Record Row and its independent labels, Leonard Chess.
13C: Topics include major labels employing
black personnel, the closure of United Records, memories of Record Row.
14C: Topics include Wonderful Records
(independent label), the Chicago sound.
Box 3
Folder 3
Maultsby, Portia, undated
Collector's No(s).
2C--6C
Physical Description
95 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Maultsby, Portia K.: AAAMC director and
professor for the Indiana University Department of Folklore and
Ethnomusicology
Interview summary
2C: Topics include WWII-era migration of
African-Americans to northern cities, the relationship of music to the
migration, early black recorded popular music, race records and race
labels, the difference between R&B and soul music.
3C: Topics include soul music, the
development of Chicago's black music scene, the Chicago sound, the
Chicago music scene in the Record Row era, black entrepreneurship.
4C: Topics include changes in the record
industry that led to the decline of Record Row, the Harvard report and
the major labels moving into black music, comparing Record Row's
independent labels with the Negro Baseball Leagues, the formation of
independent labels and black-owned businesses, what the closing of
Record Row meant to the black community, the importance of Chess
Records, Vee-Jay Records, and WVON to Record Row.
5C: Topics include Vee-Jay Records, the
legacy of Record Row, the role of black radio in the black community, Al
Benson, Chess Records and WVON, the relationship between black music and
the Civil Rights Era, Curtis Mayfield, cover records.
6C: Topics include famous song hooks, the
difficulty of defining the Chicago sound, message music in Chicago,
visual metaphors for Chicago's impact on the record industry, members of
Maultsby's family who migrated north, the relationship between
black-owned independent labels and major labels, racial and economic
factors in the decline of Record Row.
Box 3
Folder 4
Maultsby, Portia, 1995 August 11
Collector's No(s).
19D--21D
Physical Description
42 leaves
Note
"Reshoot." "Content in these tapes is taken from Tapes 2C—6C. In these
tapes, it is re-recorded for the video production, with attention to
clarity, conciseness, speed, camera angle, etc."
Box 3
Folder 5
Mayfield, Curtis, undated
Collector's No(s).
7C--8C
Physical Description
35 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Mayfield, Curtis (1942-1999): Soul singer,
songwriter, and producer with an epic career as the lead singer for the
Impressions and as a solo artist.
Interview summary
7C: Topics include Mayfield's experience with
Chess and Vee-Jay Records, singing "For Your Precious Love" for Calvin
Carter and Ewart Abner (Vee-Jay Records), Vee-Jay's influence on
Mayfield's career, Mayfield's publishing company, gospel music, Carl
Davis, Major Lance, Phil Upchurch.
8C: Topics include the Chicago sound, social
commentary in Mayfield's music, starting Curtom Records, the demise of
the music scene in Chicago, memories of Record Row, the Five Stair Steps
(musical group), black entrepreneurship in the Chicago music scene, the
legacy of Record Row.
Box 3
Folder 6
Mayo, Barry, undated
Collector's No(s).
1--2
Physical Description
12 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Mayo, Barry (1952- ): Currently the president
of Radio One's Radio Division, Mayo has a long history as a radio
executive that includes WHBC at Howard University; WVAZ in Chicago; and
WRKS-FM (which he founded), KISS-FM, and Emmis Radio in New York.
Interview summary
Mayo 1: Topics include WVON and Chicago-area
black radio, personality radio, the current relationship between
independent labels and black radio, changes in the music industry, the
role of disc jockeys in music programming.
Mayo 2: Topics include the relationship
between black radio and independent record labels, the closing of
Vee-Jay Records, independent labels and rap music, distribution, the
lack of black-owned independent labels today, Curtis Mayfield, the
legacy of Record Row.
Box 3
Folder 7
Meadow, Johnny, undated
Collector's No(s).
22D, 24D, 25E
Physical Description
23 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Meadow, Johnny: Peabody Award-winning producer
of the radio documentary
The Rise and Fall of
Vee-Jay Records
.
Interview summary
22D: Topics include Vee-Jay Records,
cross-over records, the racial politics of cover records, the parts
Vee-Jay and Chess Records played in the development of rock and roll,
Red Schwartz, the song "For Your Precious Love."
24D: Topics include the growth of Vee-Jay
Records, Josh White, Randy Wood, Ewart Abner, the demise of Vee-Jay
records, business practices of Vee-Jay and Chess Records, Vee-Jay's
shift into the pop market, Vee-Jay and the Beatles.
25E: Topics include Vee-Jay and the Beatles,
Swan Records, music publishing, Meadow's experience of Record Row, Bats
Restaurant (off Record Row), the growth and decline of Record Row.
Box 3
Folder 8
Pruter, Robert, undated
Collector's No(s).
1D--2D,
22D--23D
Physical Description
41 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Pruter, Robert (1944- ): Author of
Chicago Soul (1991),
Doowoop: The Chicago Scene (1996), and
Blackwell Guide to Soul Recordings
(1993).
Interview summary
1D: Topics include why Pruter loves soul
music, Vee-Jay Records, Curtis Mayfield, black entrepreneurship in the
Chicago record industry, description of Record Row including labels and
distributors, the business of record distribution, the demise of Record Row.
2D: Topics include Vivian Carter, Barry
Gordy, the demise of Chicago's black music industry, the fall of United
Record Distributors, differences between Motown, Stax, and the Chicago
scene, the Chicago music scene and the Civil Rights Movement, the legacy
of Record Row.
22D: Topics include Pruter's interest in
R&B music, Gene Chandler and his song "Rainbow," the importance of
Chicago in the post WWII music industry, the growth of Chess Records,
Leonard and Phil Chess, Etta James, the advent of soul music.
23D: Topics include the Chess brothers
recording blues, black radio and the record industry, Al Benson, payola,
description of Record Row, the Chicago sound, the role of A&R
directors, Carl Davis, Brunswick Records, Vee-Jay Records.
Box 3
Folder 9
Silverbrand, May, undated
Collector's No(s).
1, side A and B
Physical Description
27 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Silverbrand, May: Sister of Leonard and Phil
Chess.
Interview summary
Side 1: Topics include the Chess family's
immigration from Poland and early time in Chicago, Leonard Chess's work
ethic and personality, Leonard and Phil Chess getting into the record
business, the Macombo Lounge, Leonard's speech style, WVON, Leonard's
death, Leonard's social relationships.
Side 2: Topics include discussion of
photographs and printed material.
Box 3
Folder 10
Singleton, Ernie, undated
Collector's No(s).
19--21
Physical Description
33 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Singleton, Ernie: Former president of black
music division at MCA Records, former senior vice president at Warner
Bros. Records, and current CEO of Singleton Entertainment Corp.
Interview summary
19—21 (single Word document): Topics include
the songs "Rainbow" and "Duke of Earl," the importance of the Chicago
music scene, Vee-Jay Records, then-contemporary cities with recording
industries, changes in the Chicago music scene, WVON, radio airplay and
Chess Records, opportunities for black professionals in the Chicago
record scene, the legacy of Record Row, Carl Davis, Curtis Mayfield and
social justice, other people to interview for the documentary.
Box 3
Folder 11
Staples, Pops, undated
Collector's No(s).
6--7
Physical Description
19 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Staples, Pops (1914-2000): Soul, gospel, and
blues guitarist.
Interview summary
6: Topics include Staples's mentors, including
Blind Lemon Jefferson, Charlie Patton, Ida Cox, etc., meeting Martin
Luther King Jr., the Chicago sound, melding gospel and the blues.
7: Topics include Staples's and Curtis
Mayfield's musical contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, Staples's
time at Vee-Jay records, Jimmy Bracken and Vivian Carter, Vee-Jay's
business practices, Calvin Carter, Vee-Jay's demise.
Box 3
Folder 12
Thompson, Marshall, undated
Collector's No(s).
19B--20B
Physical Description
38 leaves
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Thompson, Marshall: Leader and only remaining
original member of the Chicago-based singing group, the Chi-Lites.
Interview summary
19B: Topics include playing at the Regal
Theatre, getting to play drums for Gladys Knight and the Pips, Wonderful
Records (record company), various musicians for whom he'd been a
drummer, singing "Price of Love" for Carl Davis, early Chi-Lite
recordings and tours, the song "Power to the People," and the album of
the same name, the Civil Rights Movement, Carl Davis and his impact.
20B: Topics include the song "Have You Seen
Her," Barbara Acklin, recording "Coldest Day of my Life," Chi-Lites
performances, being the business manager for the Chi-Lites, advice for
young musicians getting into the business, the legacy and importance of
Record Row, the loss of the black community after the demise of Record
Row.
Box 3
Folder 13
Upchurch, Phil, undated
Collector's No(s).
9B--10B
Physical Description
40 leaves
Note
Many words and phrases untranscribed.
Biographical Information about Interviewee
Upchurch, Phil: Prominent jazz guitarist in
Chicago music circles since the mid-1950s.
Interview summary
9B: Topics include the Record Row community,
Record Row's national significance, Curtis Mayfield's guitar style,
other Record Row artists with whom Upchurch worked, Dee Clark, the
Chicago sound.
10B: Topics include Upchurch's guitar style,
the national importance of Record Row, Curtis Mayfield's influence on
Upchurch, Upchurch's memory of Record Row, the demise of the Chicago
R&B industry, Vee-Jay's closing and Leonard Chess's death, the
legacy of Record Row.
