Rock 'n Roll King, Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry is the KING of Rock and Roll!
As a songwriter, guitarist and performer, Chuck Berry shaped rock and roll. It was Chuck Berry who fused many elements of blues, jazz and country into this unique sound he created that became the roots of rock music from that time forward. Chuck took the guitar from a supporting instrument to flat out front stage serious lead guitar musical entertainment!
The time came when no other rock guitarist was taken seriously unless he could play Chuck Berry tunes. From his infamous 'duck walk' to other crowd pleasing stage antics, Chuck didn't just play music, he performed on stage and the crowd LOVED it! As a stage performer, no one could out-rock Chuck Berry. Hail Hail Rock and Roll!
John Lennon said it best...
"If you tried to give rock and roll another name,
you might call it Chuck Berry.
Quotes about Chuck Berry
What else has been said about the kind of rock and roll?
"There's only one true king of rock 'n' roll. His name is Chuck Berry."-- Stevie Wonder
"[My mama] said, 'You and Elvis are pretty good, but you're no Chuck Berry.'"
-- Jerry Lee Lewis
"All of Chuck's children are out there playing his licks."
-- Bob Seger, Rock 'n' Roll Never Forgets
Who is the King of Rock and Roll on Guitar?
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Rolling Stone Magazine Hails Chuck Berry
In 2004 six of his songs found their way onto their list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, though these are only small number of the total which have been popular over the last 50 years.
In 2004 these top six included: Johnny B. Goode, Maybellene, Roll Over Beethoven and Sweet Little Sixteen.
Chuck Berry's Success
"The Eternal Teenager"
Berry's music was the inspiration in the 1960s and 1970s for such groups as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Berry had a number of wildly successful recordings, but surprisingly only one "My Ding-A-Ling" made it to the top of the pop music charts in 1972.
ROCKIN the House to Johnny B. Goode !!!
Chuck with Bruce Springstein and Clarence Clemmons
Chuck Berry - Roll Over Beethoven
...and more Chuck Berry on Stage Videos
1) Sweet Little Sixteen
2) Maybelline
3) Hail Hail Rock and Roll
4) Reelin Rockin & Rollin til the Break of Dawn
Chuck Berry Career Highlights
* First singer/songwriter of 1955* First guitarist/singer to get on Billboard charts
* Directly inspired great rock icons The Beatles, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley
* United blacks and whites by producing music that appealed to everyone
* His single "Johnny B. Goode" made the top 10 in 1958
* Had the number one single in 1972 with "My Ding-a-ling"
* Performed for President Jimmy Carter at the White House in 1975
* Was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986
* Released his autobiography in 1987
* "Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll" made its debut in 1987
* Berry performed "Johnny B. Goode" with Bruce Springsteen at the Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995
"While no individual can be said to have invented rock and roll, Chuck Berry comes the closest of any single figure to being the one who put all the essential pieces together."
Chuck Doin' his Famous Duckwalk!!!
"Certainly the single most important black artist in rock and roll, Chuck Berry is arguably the most important figure, regardless of race, in rock history."
Chuck Berry ...LATER in LIFE
Chuck Berry is still rockin' after all these years.
A businessman as well as a musician, Chuck also was owner of a restaurant in Wentzville, Missouri. Just outside of St. Louis, this restaurant was called The Southern Air. Unfortunately, Chuck's later life was marked with some controversy including a couple of jail terms, one for tax evasion and the other...well it had to do with illegal activity with a young girl.Chuck Berry made his last album, called "Rock IT" in 1979. Saint Louis, Missouri remains his home and even though he is now in his 80s (born in 1926), he still performs in St. Louis regularly at 'Blueberry Hill'.. Chuck has remained lifelong friends with Jim Edwards, the owner of Blueberry Hill, and plays there in a venue named for him called The Duck Room. He also plays now and then at The Pageant, which is a larger venue just down the street from Blueberry Hill in the University City Loop and also owned by Jim Edwards.
Chuck Berry is still performing in his 80's.
Statue of Chuck Berry in St. Louis
Dedication Ceremony July 29, 2011
- Chuck Berry Statue Dedication Ceremony on FB
- Click to join other fans of Chuck Berry for a dedication ceremony for the statue of him in the Loop, of course. Blueberry Hill!
"Elvis might still reign as the king of rock'n' roll, but Chuck Berry clearly invented the form."
Library Journal
Chuck Barry's Greatest Hits CD
On the Cover of Rolling Stone
Chuck Berry, Rolling Stone no. 35, June 14, 1969
Photographic Print
Buy at AllPosters.com
CHUCK Concert DVD
HAIL HAIL Rock and Roll!
Chuck Berry - Hail! Hail! Rock N' Roll (Four-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition)
In 1986, Keith Richards invited a roster of musicians to honor Berry for an evening of music to commemorate his 60th birthday, including performances by Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Linda Rondstadt, Etta James and Julian Lennon, along with footage of an unforgettable duet by Chuck and John Lennon! Also featuring interviews with many of the original creators of rock and roll: Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Roy Orbison, Bo Diddley, The Everly Bros, and Willy Dixon. ROCKING EXTRAS! 54 minutes of never-before-seen Chuck Berry rehearsals in DTS and 5.1 audio, featuring Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Johnnie Johnson, Chuck Lavell and Etta James! "Witness to History," featuring Little Richard, Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry together for the first time; "The Burnt Scrapbook," with Chuck Berry and Robbie Robertson revealing the remains of Chuck's collection of musical memories; "Chuckisms," a collection of classic Chuck Berry remarks; "Witness to History 2," an amazing 3-and-a-half hour look at the birth of rock music with Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, the Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison and more!
This dynamite crowd pleaser from director Taylor Hackford (Ray) will keep your toes tapping and your soul rocking all night long!
Book: Chuck Berry Biography
Brown Eyed Handsome Man: The Life and Hard Times of Chuck Berry
This author put a staggering amount of research into this detailed account of Chuck Berry's life in St. Louis as a youth as well as concert tours and other ventures later in life. Beyond being well-known as a gifted guitarist, Berry was also a serious businessman in his younger years. Interviews with friends and associates shed light on a few shadows that Berry was reluctant to reveal, including some jail time. The author also examines each of Berry's records in depth, tracing the development of his groundbreaking blend of blues, hillbilly, and jazz.
Book: The Chuck Berry Autobiography
Chuck Berry: The Autobiography
Another story of Chuck Berry's life, this one written by the man himself, the founder of Rock and Roll. The story takes us through everything from his invention of the "Duck Walk" to his inspiration for "Johny Be Good". He is not only a wild man on stage but off the stage as well. This book gives the reader a first hand look into the life of a complicated man. He could play a guitar just like ringing a bell.........
This Chuck Berry page was featured at Squidoo Music!!!
About this Chuck Berry Fan and Author
Hail Hail Rock & Roll! from the Lou
Hail Hail Rock and Roll to the one and only Mr. Chuck Berry!!!
This tribute to Chuck Berry is an award-winner!
This Chuck Berry tribute won a PURPLE STAR from Squidoo in September of 2010!
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What are YOUR thoughts after visiting this Chuck Barry page?
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Edutopia
Feb 14, 2012 @ 1:45 pm | delete
- The history of rock in its early years was a history of who could rip off who the fastest and repackage the music or sound with their own lyrics. Well all that copying had to start with an original source and Chuck was one of those original creators of the Rock 'n Roll sound. Real American Genius deserving a salute... as it were.
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davies86
Jan 11, 2012 @ 8:06 am | delete
- legend
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CountrySunshine
Jan 9, 2012 @ 8:07 pm | delete
- Great job!
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grnidlady
Dec 15, 2011 @ 6:37 pm | delete
- wonderful lens!
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hughgrissettsr
Oct 27, 2011 @ 1:38 pm | delete
- terrific lens! chuck was one of the most important pioneers of rock. visit me at www.hgssite and at my lenses for more music info. thanks.
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Chuck doing the Duck Walk!
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NOBODY plays guitar like Chuck Berry!
but you can TRY!
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