Happy Birthday Leonard Chess of Chess Records, Home of Chuck Berry and Ike Turner

Except for a stretch of time when he was signed with Mercury Records, most of Berry's seminal songs were released on Chess. That included tunes such as "Roll over Beethoven," "No Particular Place to Go" and "Johnny B. Goode." And Berry's only number one song on the Billboard Hot 100 - "My Ding-a-Ling" - was released on Chess.

Throughout the 1950s, Chess Records housed musical heavyweights such as Bo Diddley, Etta James and Buddy Guy. In the 1960s, the label became the landing pad for artists such as St. Louis native Fontella Bass, the Radiants and Tommy Tucker.

Chess died of a heart attack in 1969. And Chess Records' extensive catalogue bounced around for before eventually landing at Geffen Records. But even though the label itself is effectively a memory, Chess' legacy lives on to this day.

For instance, Chess was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. And the story of Chess Records was highlighted in 2008's Cadillac Records. Oscar winner [and Stella drinker] Adrien Brody portrayed Leonard Chess in the film.

In honor of Chess' birthday, take a listen to "Rocket 88."