Chuck Berry, Rock’n’Roll Innovator And True Legend, Dies Aged 90
One of the founding fathers of rock’n’roll died on March 18, 2017 in Missouri, at the age of 90.
The world of music lost one of its true originals, with the sad confirmation that Chuck Berry, one of the founding fathers of rock‘n’roll, died on March 18, 2017 in Missouri, at the age of 90.
The St. Charles County Police Department had answered a call about an unresponsive man at 12.40pm local time. A statement on Facebook said: “The St. Charles County Police Department sadly confirms the death of Charles Edward Anderson Berry Sr., better known as legendary musician Chuck Berry.” Berry was on the point of releasing Chuck, his first new studio album since 1979’s Rock It. It was dedicated it to his wife of 68 years, Themetta “Toddy” Berry.
Born in St Louis, Missouri in 1926, Chuck was introduced to Chess Records co-founder Leonard Chess by Muddy Waters. Berry was almost 29 years of age when he made his national and international breakthrough on Chess in 1955 with “Maybellene.” Later added to the Grammy and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame, the song was the first in a series of brilliantly creative, perfectly formed and often wittily observed vignettes reflecting the lives of the newly-termed teenager.
In 1955 and 1956 alone, Berry released such timeless songs as “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Thirty Days,” “Brown Eyed Handsome Man,” and “Too Much Monkey Business.” All those and many subsequent releases, always with his hugely influential and utterly distinctive guitar playing and usually with the piano accompaniment of Johnnie Johnson, became part of the very fabric of rock’n’roll.
Berry’s scorecard of hits didn’t come close to reflecting the inspiration he provided for countless future stars, from The Beatles to the Rolling Stones and every other beat group worth their salt. But he reached the US Top 10 again with “School Day” and “Rock & Roll Music” in 1957, “Sweet Little Sixteen” and “Johnny B. Goode” (1958), and “No Particular Place To Go.” His biggest hit, perversely, came with a novelty number, when “My Ding-A-Ling” reached No. 1 in the US, UK and elsewhere in 1972.
Berry’s significance as a muse for the young stars that followed him was acknowledged when The Beatles covered “Roll Over Beethoven” on their second UK album With The Beatles and Rock & Roll Music on their fourth, Beatles For Sale. The Stones, for their part, did “Come On” as their first single and remade “Carol” on their debut LP. “You Can’t Catch Me” was on their second and “Talkin’ ‘Bout You” on their third, among other covers.
‘Pure, effortless swing’
Other artists among the thousands who had hits with their recordings of Berry‘s work included Buddy Holly with “Brown Eyed Handsome Man,” Elvis Presley with “Promised Land” and everyone from the Dave Clark 5 (“Reelin’ and Rockin’”) to Linda Ronstadt (“Back In The USA”).
“The beautiful thing about Chuck Berry’s playing,” wrote Keith Richards in his autobiography Life, “was it had such an effortless swing. None of this sweating and grinding away and grimacing, just pure, effortless swing, like a lion.” His immense contribution was further summed up by John Lennon, when he said in 1972: “If you had to give rock’n’roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry.”
Listen to the best of Chuck Berry on Apple Music and Spotify.
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Cat Thunder
March 19, 2017 at 12:06 am
One of the truly greats Grandfather Of Rock. Reeling and Rocking time to go. REST IN PEACE.
rose
March 19, 2017 at 1:03 am
Today, the music died.. The true blue, RED< WHITE AND BLUE< rock and roll legend has left us, to be with the greatest rock and roll band in heaven. REST IN PEACE, AND THANK YOU FOR ROCK AND ROLL!!
Richard
March 19, 2017 at 2:19 am
El Rey del Rock Paz y Amor
Jack S. Yandell
March 19, 2017 at 2:42 am
Time sadly takes us all. We keep thinking that the GREAT artists will live on and on…Chuck had a fantastic life, his impact has definitely left it’s Mark, along with Elvis, Little Richard, Bill Haley, Mickey Newberry, Scotty Moore,Loretta Lynn, Just to name a small few. May you ALWAYS rest in God’s arm’s. We will miss you.
Santos Zuniga
March 19, 2017 at 3:32 am
My condolences to his family and friends. We lost another legend.
Diane Stevens Pinkard
March 19, 2017 at 4:28 am
R.I.P. Chuck Berry, I have enjoyed your music, for many years.
About two years ago, I saw you and Little Richard, in los Angeles. Wonderful show… love you.
3-18-2017
Claudio Peccolo
March 19, 2017 at 10:30 am
The whole world has to be thankful to this good man, he gave us music which is one one the few good things that we are good at. Thank you Chuck!
Marie Sabandar
March 19, 2017 at 11:36 am
i LOVE HIS MUSIC, FOR ME HE WAS THE GREATEST ROCK&ROLER AND I LIKE TO WISH HIM A PEACEFULL REST IN THE ARM OF GOD AND HIS FAMILY MUCH OF STRENGTH, GBT THEM ALL…!
Kathleen Broderick
March 19, 2017 at 11:31 pm
You, Mr. Berry heve entered the Greatest Rock and Roll Hall of Fame….Rock on Forever! Because of you I will forever be a Rock n Roller! God hold you in His Love.
tumba d
March 23, 2017 at 8:10 am
Deepest condolences to the family of Chuck Berry, a true legend of music!
Iftikhar
March 23, 2017 at 4:29 pm
Yes i like it