For a walk into history, stop by the Blues Heaven Foundation, occupying the former home of the legendary Chess Records. Breathe the same rarefied air as blues (and rock 'n' roll) legends Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Chuck Berry, and the Rolling Stones, all of whom recorded here. Check out the Chess brothers' private offices, the recording studio, and the back stairway used only by signed musicians. Don't miss the eerie "Life Cast Portraits" wall showcasing the plaster heads of the Chess recording artists. Make a phone reservation before stopping by-the Foundation keeps irregular hours.



March 13, 1954: “Hoochie Coochie Man,” written by Willie Dixon and recorded by Muddy Waters – with Dixon playing bass – enters the R&B chart. It will reach #3, which will make it the highest-charting of Waters’ 14 Top Ten R&B hits.

BLUES HEAVEN founder Wille Dixon established Blues Heaven Foundation not only to assist in documentation and promotion of the Blues, but also to help Blues Artists and the business of music. A legendary songwriter himself, Willie has long been an advocate of education.

Willie Dixon's musical and educational legacy began in 1970 with the world's first Blues In The School Clinic at Amos Alonzo Stagg School on Chicago's South Side. Since 1984 Blues Heaven has sponsored nationally prominent blues artists to conduct remote site Blues Clinics resulting in more than 16,000 instrumental donations to elementary and secondary school children. This program is co-sponsored by Hohner, Inc.

Honoring a promise to her late husband, Marie Dixon purchased the landmark Chess Records at 2120 S. Michigan Avenue in Chicago and donated the site to serve as the Blues Heaven Foundation national headquarters. After extensive renovations the site officially opened on September 16, 1997 with over 150 blues artist advocates in attendance.

The Foundation develops ongoing Blues Clinics as part of the on-site annual program agenda and an endorsement program for Blues Musicians. Shirli Dixon Nelson had a made a promise to her father to continue his dream as executive director of Blues Heaven, and did so with a passion until her untimely tragic death in 2003. She was 40 years old and was loved by everyone who knew her.

Muddy Waters was the Foundation's first honorary board member and an innovator in the Blues field, establishing the grounds for this scholarship. The Foundation developed a matching grant program for high school music students around the country with Yamaha Corporation's Band Instrument Division.

Coinciding with Black History Month, each donation was made in honor of a legendary Bluesman:

Memphis Slim in Memphis, Tennessee;

Little Brother Montgomery in Vicksburg, Mississippi;

Howlin' Wolf in Chicago, Illinois;

Big Joe Turner in Los Angeles, California.



The organization works to preserve the blues’ legacy and to secure copyrights and royalties for blues musicians who were exploited in the past. Speaking with the simple eloquence that was a hallmark of his songs, Dixon put it like this: “The blues are the roots and the other musics are the fruits. It’s better keeping the roots alive, because it means better fruits from now on. The blues are the roots of all American music. As long as American music survives, so will the blues.”

For More Information Visit The Blues Heaven Foundation Web Site at http://www.bluesheaven.com