Checker

Checker

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For all Unofficial / Bootleg copies of this label please us Checker (2)
Checker Records is an inactive record label that was started in 1952 as a subsidiary of Chess Records in Chicago, Illinois. The label was founded by the Chess brothers, Leonard and Phil, who ran the label until they sold it to General Recorded Tape (GRT) in 1969, shortly before Leonard's death.
The label released recordings by mostly African American artists and groups. Checker's releases cover a wide range of genres including blues (Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson II), rhythm and blues (Sax Mallard, Jimmy McCracklin), doo-wop (The Flamingos, The Moonglows), gospel (Aretha Franklin, Five Blind Boys of Mississippi), rock and roll (Bo Diddley, Dale Hawkins), and soul (Gene Chandler).
The label was discontinued in 1971 following GRT's consolidation of the Chess catalogs. As with Cadet and Chess, the label's catalog is now owned by Universal Music Group and releases from the Checker catalog are released by Geffen Records and Chess.

Guide to label designs for 45s (date ranges are approximate) -- can be used to identify and roughly date represses/reissues:
1952-1957: Maroon "web top" logo (final one might be #876: Dale Hawkins - Baby, Baby / Mrs. Merguitory's Daughter but continued to be used on 78s into 1958)
1957-1966: Maroon vertically-printed Checker on left side of labels (overlaps later designs by a few years, perhaps one pressing plant just kept on using this label stock. Final one seems to be Checker #1135: Koko Taylor - Wang Dang Doodle / Blues Heaven)
1963-1965: Blue with checker game pieces logo (but was used at least twice in early-to-mid 1966: Koko Taylor - Wang Dang Doodle / Blues Heaven and Fontella Bass - I Surrender / I Can't Rest)
1965-1970: Blue-to-white gradient with red/white/blue Checker logo

Label code: LC 0155 / LC 00155
Sublabel
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Label

Releases

Status Catalog Number  Image Artist Title ( Format) Label Catalog Number  Country Year Actions
2ACK-10094 The Violinaires - The Fantastic Violinaires The Violinaires The Fantastic Violinaires(2xLP, Comp) Checker 2ACK-10094 US 1977 Sell This Version
2ACK-10096 The Fantastic Violinaires* The Whole World Is Watching(2xLP, Comp, RE) Checker 2ACK-10096 US 1977 Sell This Version
2CK 10065 The Violinaires - Please Answer This Prayer The Violinaires Please Answer This Prayer (Comp) 2CK 10065 US Unknown Sell This Version
2CK 10065 The Violinaires - Please Answer This Prayer The Violinaires Please Answer This Prayer(2xLP, Promo) Checker 2CK 10065 US Unknown Sell This Version
2CK 10066 The Soul Stirrers - Glory, Glory The Soul Stirrers Glory, Glory (Album, Comp) 2CK 10066 US 1971 Sell This Version
2CK-10095 The Soul Stirrers - The Exciting Soul Stirrers The Soul Stirrers The Exciting Soul Stirrers(LP, Comp) Checker 2CK-10095 US Unknown Sell This Version
7-LPS-1437 Sonny Boy Williamson (2) - Down And Out Blues Sonny Boy Williamson (2) Down And Out Blues(7", Jukebox) Checker 7-LPS-1437 US 1964 Sell This Version
7-LPS-2979 Sugar Pie DeSanto - Sugar Pie Desanto Sugar Pie DeSanto Sugar Pie Desanto(7", Jukebox) Checker 7-LPS-2979 US 1963 Sell This Version
7N.25191 Sonny Boy Williamson (2) - Help Me Sonny Boy Williamson (2) Help Me (7", Single, Pus) Pye International 7N.25191 UK 1963 Sell This Version
7N.25217 Bo Diddley - Pretty Thing Bo Diddley Pretty Thing(7", Single) Pye International 7N.25217 UK 1963 Sell This Version
7N.25238 Tommy Tucker - Hi-Heel Sneakers Tommy Tucker Hi-Heel Sneakers(7", 4 P) Pye International 7N.25238 UK 1964 Sell This Version
7N.25268 Sonny Boy Williamson (2) - Lonesome Cabin Sonny Boy Williamson (2) Lonesome Cabin (Single) 7N.25268 UK 1964 Sell This Version
45-HL-1284 The Tune Weavers / Paul Gayten - Happy, Happy Birthday Baby / Yo, Yo, Walk The Tune Weavers / Paul Gayten The Tune Weavers / Paul Gayten - Happy, Happy Birthday Baby / Yo, Yo, Walk(7") London Records 45-HL-1284 Australia 1958 Sell This Version
45-HLM 8913 Bo Diddley - The Great Grandfather / Crackin' Up Bo Diddley The Great Grandfather / Crackin' Up (7", Single) London Records, London American Recordings 45-HLM 8913 UK 1959 Sell This Version
45-HLM 9060 Dale Hawkins - Hot Dog Dale Hawkins Hot Dog (7", Single) London American Recordings, London Records 45-HLM 9060 UK 1959 Sell This Version
750 Sax Mallard And His Orchestra* - Slow Caboose / Darling Let's Give Love A Chance Sax Mallard And His Orchestra* Slow Caboose / Darling Let's Give Love A Chance(Shellac, 10") Checker 750 US 1952 Sell This Version
751 Arbee Stidham And His Orchestra - Someone To Tell My Troubles To / Mr. Commissioner Arbee Stidham And His Orchestra Someone To Tell My Troubles To / Mr. Commissioner(Shellac, 10") Checker 751 US 1952 Sell This Version
752 "Big Boy" Spires And His Guitar* Murmur Low / One Of These Days(Shellac, 10") Checker 752 US 1952 Sell This Version
753 Rocky Fuller - Soon One Morning Rocky Fuller Soon One Morning(Shellac, 10") Checker 753 US 1952 Sell This Version
754 Percy Lee Crudup - Open Your Book (Daddy Wants To Read With You) / Tears In My Eyes Percy Lee Crudup Open Your Book (Daddy Wants To Read With You) / Tears In My Eyes(Shellac, 10") Checker 754 US 1952 Sell This Version
755 Sax Mallard And His Orchestra* - Teen Town Strut! / I'm Yours Sax Mallard And His Orchestra* Teen Town Strut! / I'm Yours(Shellac, 10") Checker 755 US 1952 Sell This Version
756 Willie Nix - Just One Mistake / Truckin’ Little Woman Willie Nix Just One Mistake / Truckin’ Little Woman(Shellac, 10") Checker 756 US 1952 Sell This Version
758 Little Walter And His Night Cats* - Juke / Can't Hold Out Much Longer Little Walter And His Night Cats* Juke / Can't Hold Out Much Longer (Single) 758 US 1952 Sell This Version
759 Al Fats Thomas And Orchestra - Baby Please No No / Dog Days Al Fats Thomas And Orchestra Baby Please No No / Dog Days(Shellac, 10") Checker 759 US 1952 Sell This Version
760 The Encores (3) - When I Look At You / Young Girls, Young Girls The Encores (3) When I Look At You / Young Girls, Young Girls(Shellac, 10") Checker 760 US 1952 Sell This Version
762 Joe Williams, King Kolax And His Orchestra* - Every Day I Have The Blues / They Didn't Believe Me Joe Williams, King Kolax And His Orchestra* Joe Williams, King Kolax And His Orchestra* - Every Day I Have The Blues / They Didn't Believe Me 762 US 1952 Sell This Version
763 Joe Hill Louis - Dorothy Mae / When I Am Gone Joe Hill Louis Dorothy Mae / When I Am Gone(Shellac, 10") Checker 763 US 1952 Sell This Version
764 Little Walter And His Nightcaps* - Mean Old World / Sad Hours Little Walter And His Nightcaps* Little Walter And His Nightcaps* - Mean Old World / Sad Hours (Single) 764 US 1952 Sell This Version
765 The Bayou Boys (3) - Dinah The Bayou Boys (3) Dinah(7") Checker 765 US 1952 Sell This Version
766 Morris Pejoe And His Band - Gonna Buy Me A Telephone / Tired Of Crying Over You Morris Pejoe And His Band Gonna Buy Me A Telephone / Tired Of Crying Over You (Single) 766 US 1952 Sell This Version
767 Little Walter - Don't Have To Hunt No More / Tonight With A Fool Little Walter Don't Have To Hunt No More / Tonight With A Fool (7") Checker 767 US Unknown Sell This Version
768 Danny Overbea And His Combo - Train, Train, Train / I'll Wait Danny Overbea And His Combo Train, Train, Train / I'll Wait 768 US 1953 Sell This Version
770 Little Walter And His Jukes* - Tell Me Mama / Off The Wall Little Walter And His Jukes* Tell Me Mama / Off The Wall (Single) 770 US 1953 Sell This Version
771 Memphis Minnie With Little Joe And His Band - Broken Heart / Me And My Chauffeur Memphis Minnie With Little Joe And His Band Memphis Minnie With Little Joe And His Band - Broken Heart / Me And My Chauffeur 771 US 1953 Sell This Version
773 Mitzi Mars With Sax Mallard And Orchestra* - I'm Glad / Roll 'Em Mitzi Mars With Sax Mallard And Orchestra* Mitzi Mars With Sax Mallard And Orchestra* - I'm Glad / Roll 'Em (Single) 773 US 1953 Sell This Version
774 Danny Overbea With King Kolax And His Orchestra* - 40 Cups Of Coffee / I'll Follow You Danny Overbea With King Kolax And His Orchestra* Danny Overbea With King Kolax And His Orchestra* - 40 Cups Of Coffee / I'll Follow You 774 US 1953 Sell This Version
777 Elmore James - Country Boogie / She Just Won't Do Right Elmore James Country Boogie / She Just Won't Do Right 777 US 1953 Sell This Version
778 Arbee Stedham And Orchestra* - I Don't Play / Don't Set Your Cap For Me Arbee Stedham And Orchestra* I Don't Play / Don't Set Your Cap For Me(Shellac, 10") Checker 778 US 1953 Sell This Version
779 Browley Guy And The Skyscrapers - Watermelon Man / You Look Good to Me Browley Guy And The Skyscrapers Watermelon Man / You Look Good to Me(Shellac, 10") Checker 779 US 1953 Sell This Version
780 Little Walter & His Jukes - Blues With A Feeling / Quarter To Twelve Little Walter & His Jukes Blues With A Feeling / Quarter To Twelve (Single) 780 US 1953 Sell This Version
781 Morris Pejoe And His Band - Can't Get Along / It'll Plumb Get It Morris Pejoe And His Band Can't Get Along / It'll Plumb Get It (Single) 781 US 1953 Sell This Version
782 The Blue Jays (5) - White Cliffs Of Dover / Hey Pappa The Blue Jays (5) White Cliffs Of Dover / Hey Pappa (Single) 782 US 1953 Sell This Version
783 Sugar Boy And His Cane Cutters* - I Don't Know What I'll Do / Overboard Sugar Boy And His Cane Cutters* I Don't Know What I'll Do / Overboard (Single) 783 US 1953 Sell This Version
784 Danny Overbea With King Kolax & Orch.* - I Could, But I Won't / Sorrento Danny Overbea With King Kolax & Orch.* Danny Overbea With King Kolax & Orch.* - I Could, But I Won't / Sorrento(Shellac, 10") Checker 784 US 1953 Sell This Version
785 Rev. Utah Smith* - Two Wings / Take A Trip Rev. Utah Smith* Two Wings / Take A Trip (Single) 785 US 1953 Sell This Version
786 Little Walter & His Jukes - You're So Fine / Lights Out Little Walter & His Jukes You're So Fine / Lights Out (Single) 786 US 1953 Sell This Version
787 Sugar Boy And His Cane Cutters* - Jock-A-Mo / You, You, You Sugar Boy And His Cane Cutters* Jock-A-Mo / You, You, You (Single) 787 US 1954 Sell This Version
787 James James "Sugar Boy" Crawford And His Cane Cutters Jock-A-Mo / You, You, You(7") Checker 787 US 1954 Sell This Version
788 Danny Overbea With King Kolax & Orch.* - Stomp And Whistle / Ebony Chant Danny Overbea With King Kolax & Orch.* Danny Overbea With King Kolax & Orch.* - Stomp And Whistle / Ebony Chant 788 US 1954 Sell This Version
789 Jimmy Binkley And His Combo* - Wine Wine Wine / Boogie On The Hour Jimmy Binkley And His Combo* Wine Wine Wine / Boogie On The Hour 789 US 1955 Sell This Version
790 Big Ed And His Combo* - Superstition / Biscuit Baking Mama Big Ed And His Combo* Superstition / Biscuit Baking Mama 790 US 1954 Sell This Version
791 Leon D. Tarver And The Chordones* - I'm A Young Rooster / Ooh-Wee What's Wrong With Me? Leon D. Tarver And The Chordones* I'm A Young Rooster / Ooh-Wee What's Wrong With Me? (Single) 791 US 1954 Sell This Version
792 Eugene Fox - Sinners Dream / Stay At Home Eugene Fox Sinners Dream / Stay At Home 792 US 1954 Sell This Version
793 Little Walter And His Jukes* - Rocker / Oh Baby Little Walter And His Jukes* Rocker / Oh Baby (Single) 793 US 1954 Sell This Version
794 El Rays* With Willie Dixon And Orchestra* - Darling I Know / Christine El Rays* With Willie Dixon And Orchestra* El Rays* With Willie Dixon And Orchestra* - Darling I Know / Christine (Single) 794 US 1954 Sell This Version
795 Sugar Boy* - I Bowed On My Knees / No More Heartaches Sugar Boy* I Bowed On My Knees / No More Heartaches 795 US 1954 Sell This Version
796 Danny Overbea - Roamin' Man / You're Mine Danny Overbea Roamin' Man / You're Mine (Single) 796 US 1954 Sell This Version
797 Jessie Knight And His Combo - Nothing But Money Jessie Knight And His Combo Nothing But Money (Single) 797 US 1954 Sell This Version
798 Jimmy Witherspoon And His Orchestra - When The Lights Go Out / Big Daddy Jimmy Witherspoon And His Orchestra When The Lights Go Out / Big Daddy (Single) 798 US 1954 Sell This Version
799 Little Walter And His Jukes* - You'd Better Watch Yourself Little Walter And His Jukes* You'd Better Watch Yourself (Single) 799 US 1954 Sell This Version
801 Paul Gayten - I'm Tired / Get It Paul Gayten I'm Tired / Get It 801 US 1954 Sell This Version
802 Earl Brown & His Band - Shake Your Shimmy / The Cat's Wiggle Earl Brown & His Band Shake Your Shimmy / The Cat's Wiggle (Single) 802 US 1954 Sell This Version
803 Lena Gordon, Sax Kari And Orch.* / Sax Kari And Orchestra* - Mama Took The Baby / Disc Jockey Jamboree Lena Gordon, Sax Kari And Orch.* / Sax Kari And Orchestra* Lena Gordon, Sax Kari And Orch.* / Sax Kari And Orchestra* - Mama Took The Baby / Disc Jockey Jamboree (Single) 803 US 1954 Sell This Version
804 Lowell Fulson - Reconsider Baby / I Believe I'll Give It Up Lowell Fulson Reconsider Baby / I Believe I'll Give It Up (Single) 804 US 1954 Sell This Version
805 Little Walter And His Jukes* - Last Night Little Walter And His Jukes* Last Night (Single) 805 US 1954 Sell This Version
806 Bobby Lester And The Moonlighters (4) - Shoo Doo-Be Doo / So All Alone Bobby Lester And The Moonlighters (4) Bobby Lester And The Moonlighters (4) - Shoo Doo-Be Doo / So All Alone (Single) 806 US 1954 Sell This Version
807 Otis Spann - It Must Have Been The Devil / Five Spot Otis Spann It Must Have Been The Devil / Five Spot 807 US 1954 Sell This Version
808 Danny Overbea - A Toast To Lovers Danny Overbea A Toast To Lovers 808 US 1954 Sell This Version
809 Jon Thomas And His Orch.* - Rib Tips / Hi Fi Jon Thomas And His Orch.* Rib Tips / Hi Fi (Single) 809 US 1955 Sell This Version
810 Jimmy Witherspoon - Waiting For Your Return / Time Brings About A Change Jimmy Witherspoon Waiting For Your Return / Time Brings About A Change (Single) 810 US 1955 Sell This Version
811 Little Walter & His Jukes - My Babe / Thunder Bird Little Walter & His Jukes My Babe / Thunder Bird (Single) 811 US 1955 Sell This Version
812 Lowell Fulson - Check Yourself / Loving You Lowell Fulson Check Yourself / Loving You (Single) 812 US 1955 Sell This Version
813 Bobby Lester And The Moonlighters (4) - Hug And A Kiss / New Gal Bobby Lester And The Moonlighters (4) Bobby Lester And The Moonlighters (4) - Hug And A Kiss / New Gal 813 US 1954 Sell This Version
814 Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley / I'm A Man Bo Diddley Bo Diddley / I'm A Man (Single) 814 US 1955 Sell This Version
815 The Flamingos - That's My Baby (Chick-A-Boom) / When The Flamingos That's My Baby (Chick-A-Boom) / When (Single) 815 US 1955 Sell This Version
816 Danny Overbea - Hey Pancho / Do You Love Me Danny Overbea Hey Pancho / Do You Love Me(7", Single) Checker 816 US 1955 Sell This Version
817 Little Walter And His Jukes* - Roller Coaster / I Got To Go Little Walter And His Jukes* Roller Coaster / I Got To Go (Single) 817 US 1955 Sell This Version
818 The Fortunes (2) - My Baby Is Fine / Believe In Me The Fortunes (2) My Baby Is Fine / Believe In Me 818 US 1955 Sell This Version
819 Bo Diddley - Diddley Daddy Bo Diddley Diddley Daddy (Single) 819 US 1955 Sell This Version
820 Lowell Fulson - Lonely Hours / Do Me Right Lowell Fulson Lonely Hours / Do Me Right (Single) 820 US 1955 Sell This Version
821 The Flamingos - Please Come Back Home / I Want To Love You The Flamingos Please Come Back Home / I Want To Love You (Single) 821 US 1955 Sell This Version
822 Willie Dixon And The Allstars* - Walking The Blues / If You're Mine Willie Dixon And The Allstars* Walking The Blues / If You're Mine (Single) 822 US 1955 Sell This Version
823 Bobby Tuggle - The $64,000 Question / Too Late Old Man Bobby Tuggle The $64,000 Question / Too Late Old Man (Single) 823 US 1955 Sell This Version
824 "Sonny Boy" Williamson* Don't Start Me Talkin' / All My Love In Vain (Single) 824 US 1955 Sell This Version
825 Little Walter And His Jukes* - Too Late / I Hate To See You Go Little Walter And His Jukes* Too Late / I Hate To See You Go (Single) 825 US 1955 Sell This Version
826 Jimmy Witherspoon - Why Do I Love You Like I Do? / It Ain't No Secret (What A Baby Can Do) Jimmy Witherspoon Why Do I Love You Like I Do? / It Ain't No Secret (What A Baby Can Do) 826 US 1955 Sell This Version
827 Bo Diddley - Pretty Thing / Bring It To Jerome Bo Diddley Pretty Thing / Bring It To Jerome (Single) 827 US 1955 Sell This Version
828 Willie Dixon - Crazy For My Baby / I Am The Lover Man Willie Dixon Crazy For My Baby / I Am The Lover Man (Single) 828 US 1955 Sell This Version
829 Lowell Fulson - I Still Love You Baby / Trouble, Trouble Lowell Fulson I Still Love You Baby / Trouble, Trouble (Single) 829 US 1955 Sell This Version
830 The Flamingos - Need Your Love / I'll Be Home The Flamingos Need Your Love / I'll Be Home (Single) 830 US 1955 Sell This Version
831 Charles Williams (7) With Paul Gayten Orch.* Charles Williams (7) With Paul Gayten Orch.* - So Glad She's Mine / Mary, Don't You Weep, Mary Don't You Moan (Single) 831 US 1956 Sell This Version
832 Bo Diddley - Diddy Wah Diddy Bo Diddley Diddy Wah Diddy (Single) 832 US 1956 Sell This Version
833 Little Walter And His Jukes* - Who / It Ain't Right Little Walter And His Jukes* Who / It Ain't Right (Single) 833 US 1956 Sell This Version
834 Sonny Boy Williamson (2) - Let Me Explain / Your Imagination Sonny Boy Williamson (2) Let Me Explain / Your Imagination (Single) 834 US 1956 Sell This Version
835 Jimmy Binkley - You Made A Boo Boo Jimmy Binkley You Made A Boo Boo (Single) 835 US 1956 Sell This Version
836 Paul Gayten - You Better Believe it / Mother Roux Paul Gayten You Better Believe it / Mother Roux (Single) 836 US 1956 Sell This Version
837 Flamingos* - A Kiss From Your Lips / Get With It Flamingos* A Kiss From Your Lips / Get With It (Single) 837 US 1956 Sell This Version
838 Little Walter And His Jukes* - One More Chance With You / Flying Saucer Little Walter And His Jukes* One More Chance With You / Flying Saucer (Single) 838 US 1956 Sell This Version
839 Gene Barge And His Band - Country Gene Barge And His Band Country (Single) 839 US 1956 Sell This Version
840 Bobby Tuggle - I Wonder Bobby Tuggle I Wonder (Single) 840 US 1955 Sell This Version