Chess Records: To Love, To Love

One of the biggest hits for the Chess Records label was Billy Stewart’s unique take on George Gershwin’s “Summertime” in 1966. The Single peaked at #10 on the pop charts as well as at #7 on the R&B charts. In fitting with our typical Friday Flipside’s theme, we present the “B” side of that single “To Love, to Love.”

Although missing his scat technique used on the “A” side and other recordings, “To Love, to Love” is a typical example of a Stewart ballad. Although he had been performing since he was 12 years old, Bo Diddley is credited with discovering Stewart and helped the young singer get a contract with Chess Records.

“To Love, to Love” was a collaboration of three men named Billy: Stewart the artist, Nichols the writer, and Davis the producer. In addition to its release year of 1966, the single was sequentially numbered as 1966 as well.