Ralph Bass

Induction Year: 1991

Induction Category: Non-Performer

"During a lengthy career as a producer and talent scout for the influential independent record labels Savoy, King/Federal and Chess, Bronx-born Ralph Bass recorded some of the greatest figures in black music. As a producer at Black & White Records in the Forties, Bass cut sides with the likes of Lena Horne and , including the latter’s landmark “"Call It Stormy Monday."” But it was his flukish recording of “"Open the Door, Richard"” an off-color comedy routine based on an old vaudeville skit, which Bass cut with jazzman Jack McVea and his band in 1947 that raised his profile in the music business.

Bass worked at Savoy Records from 1948-51, recording such artists as Brownie McGee and . In 1951 he moved to Federal Records, where he turned out one big R&B hit after another, including such ribald classics as the Dominoes’ “"Sixty Minute Man"” and and the Midnighters’ “"Work With Me, Annie."” Despite its being banned, the latter sold more than a million copies. It was Bass who brought to Federal and who produced the original version of the R&B standard “"Kansas City,"” then titled “"K.C. Lovin"” and recorded by Little Willie Littlefield for the label. Bass’s longest tenure came at Chess Records, the Chicago-based label, where he worked with an extraordinary roster of blues, gospel, R&B, and rock and roll artists. Bass stayed at Chess from 1958 to 1976 and produced the likes of Clara Ward, , , , and Sonny Boy Williamson.”

TIMELINE

May 1, 1911: Ralph Bass was born.