CBA Record July-August 2026

T he “Chicago Lore” essay by Richard Stavins in the March/April 2026 edition of the CBA Record is delightful and engaging, even though it buries its own lede a bit. After all, not only was the song “Maybellene” recorded in Chicago at the iconic Chess Records, but it was also Hall of Famer Chuck Berry’s first major hit, released three years before his signature “Johnny B. Goode” (1958). And that doesn’t even count where the song’s name came from. The song itself evolved from an old country music tune called “Ida Red.” Those who are familiar with Berry’s snappy “Maybellene” will recall his colorful story about a lovesick narrator driving a 1934 Ford V-8 while his elusive girlfriend cavorts in a flashy Cadillac Coupe DeVille. Berry contributed the trendy teen lyrics about sexy cars and women, then changed the song’s name to “Ida Mae” during a live recording session at Chess. Still, the revised name did not quite fit the song’s rol licking vibe. Urban legends differ, but the best and most likely version is that the final inspira tion came from a Maybelline mascara container in the studio. The frivolous name “Maybellene” is essentially made up, just like the Maybelline cosmetics brand was in the first place, although the latter was spelled with an “i.” Leonard Chess and Berry dropped the new name in, the fit was perfect, and Chicago history was made on the 36th take of Maybellene “doin’ the things [she] used to do.” Here are some helpful links if you’re interested in going down the rabbit hole: O https://www.songfacts.com/facts/chuck-berry/maybellene O https://www.vintagerockmag.com/2025/05/story-behind-the-song-chuck-ber rys-maybellene/ O https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/chuck-berry/maybellene CHICAGO LORE: Maybellene, Chuck Berry, and Chess Records LETTER TO THE EDITOR

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4 July/August 2026