Aristocrat Records was founded in April 1947 by Charles and Evelyn Aron, Fred and Mildred Brount, and Art Spiegel. Leonard Chess became involved with the label later that year, and by 1948, he had bought out the other partners, leaving him and Evelyn Aron to run the company. By 1950, Leonard and his brother Phil Chess became the sole owners, and in June of that year, they renamed the company Chess Records. Aristocrat Records continued under its original name until January 1951.
In its brief existence, Aristocrat released 183 songs and recorded 18 more tracks that were later released under the Chess label. One of the label’s most notable early signings was Muddy Waters, who recorded his first tracks for Aristocrat in August 1947, including the single “Gypsy Woman” b/w “Little Anna Mae”. His follow-up session in December 1947 produced “I Can’t Be Satisfied” b/w “Feel Like Goin’ Home”, which became a minor hit. These recordings laid the foundation for what would become Chess Records’ dominance in the development of blues and R&B music.
Aristocrat Records Discography
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