Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2008
Destruction of Chess-related masters in the Universal fire
The 2008 Universal Studios warehouse fire destroyed original master recordings associated with numerous artists, including Chess releases. Subsequent reporting raised questions about the survival of duplicate copies and the accuracy of initial public statements about the losses.
1970
Artist royalty litigation
Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon successfully sued Chess Records and Arc Music over alleged nonpayment of royalties. The cases became an important part of the label’s complicated labour and rights legacy.