Please join APT WGLC for a special tour of Chicago's Record Row led by Bauer Latoza Studio that combines historic sites and sounds.
This tour will share some insight and discuss the music history in Chicago during the 1950’s and 1960’s which was a major influence in the development of urban blues, jazz, rock and roll and soul music. A special soundtrack will accompany the tour.
Originally located on South Cottage Grove, Chicago’s Record Row was relocated to South Michigan in the 1950’s where more than 350 labels and up to 21 record distributors where located and up to half a dozen independent recording studios included companies such as Chess Recording (founded as Aristocrat in 1947), Chance (1950), United (1952), and Vee-Jay (1953), who helped to spread urban blues, rhythm and blues, and soul music popularity nationally and internationally.
Chicago’s Record Row, also became the production, distribution, and marketing center for a new sound and style of music. One notable studio, which is now a museum, included Chess Records Studio which created a unique sound of recording called the “Chess Sound”. Recording artist such as Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Little Walter and Jimmy Rogers produced a number of hits. Other artists were the great Etta James, Willie Dixon and The Rolling Stones.
The tour will also discuss other early independent recording studios and record distributors and share some of the stories on how they influenced the music industry and in some ways provided an avenue for Black professionals to emerge within the industry and a segregated society.
Space is limited. Please see the attached map for locations. Additional contact information will be shared with those registered. We'll review weather conditions as the date approaches.