Details

ARC-0055

collection

Ralph Bass Papers

circa 1960s-1993

0.21 (Linear feet)

The Ralph Bass Papers, span the years circa 1960s to 1993, and consist of a copy of the Chicago Reader featuring an interview with Bass, the transcript of an interview with Bass, and eight photographs of Bass with various performers, including James Brown and the Vashonettes. All photographs are 8" x 10" black-and-whites, unless otherwise noted. The collection will be most useful to researchers looking for photographic images of Bass.

Ralph Bass was a producer and label executive at Savoy, King/Federal, and Chess Records. Bass recorded many influential blues, gospel, R&B, and rock and roll artists and was responsible for fostering the careers of Hank Ballard, James Brown, Clyde McPhatter, Esther Phillips, and T-Bone Walker.

1911 May 1: Born in the Bronx, N.Y.

1948-1951: Works for Savoy Records.

1951: Leaves Savoy Records for Federal Records.

1958-1976: Works for Chess Records, Chicago.

1991: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

1997 March 5: Death.

Acquisition Note: The Ralph Bass Papers were received by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc., as a gift from Ralph Bass on August 26, 1994.

Processing Information: Processed by Christine Borne, Project Archivist. Completed February 16, 2011. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local processing manual.

Citation: [Identification of item], Ralph Bass Papers, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Collection is open for research. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration form before using this collection. Consult the Library and Archives in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available.

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.