Cadillac Records: A Lesson on Advances

Cadillac Records was released in 2008 and featured stellar performances by Beyoncé Knowles who played Etta James, as well as Adrien Brody, Mos Def, Gabrielle Union and Jeffrey Wright.

The movie tells the story of Chess Records which was a Chicago-based blues record label that had success in the 50’s and 60’s with stars like Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf, and harmonica player Little Walter.

When an artist signed to the label they would receive a Cadillac that they’d drive from show to show. If a new model Cadillac came out or, in the case of Little Walter, the Cadillac was wrecked, the label would get them a new Cadillac. The artists saw the cars as gifts, but they were being paid for with the royalties collected by the label.

The clip below is of Howlin’ Wolf turning down the Cadillac in favor of his beat up pickup so that he can be paid his royalties.