CHUCK BERRY
October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017
“Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness. And they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy… or they become legend.” – Jim Harrison
Today we pause to salute the life and memory of a legend, Mr. Charles “Chuck Berry” Anderson. Mr Berry was a pioneer of rock and roll music. He is remembered for his biggest songs; “Maybellene” (1955), “Roll Over Beethoven” (1956), “Rock and Roll Music” (1957) and “Johnny B. Goode” (1958). Little Richard once said “The Blues gave birth to an illegitimate child and named it Rock ‘n’ Roll”. If this is true, then Berry must have been a fornicator in that relationship. Berry refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive. He developed a musical style that included guitar solos, on stage whining and grinding, mic stand acrobatics, and front man showmanship that gave birth to all of the rock n roll acts that you and I have seen or heard. His lyrics focused on teen life, consumerism, and was the beginning of the whole “Sex, drugs, and Rock n Roll” lifestyle that permeates rock music to this very day. He was a legend amongst the musicians of our time and a major influence on rock music, but don’t take our word for it….
“Chuck Berry was rock’s greatest practitioner, guitarist, and the greatest pure rock ‘n’ roll writer who ever lived.” – The Boss, Bruce Springsteen
“I am so sad to hear of Chuck Berry’s passing. I want to thank him for all the inspirational music he gave to us. He lit up our teenage years, and blew life into our dreams of being musicians and performers. His lyrics shone above others & threw a strange light on the American dream. Chuck you were amazing & your music is engraved inside us forever.” – Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones
“R I P. And peace and love Chuck Berry Mr. rock ‘n’ roll music” – Ringo Starr, Member of The Beatles
“To the greatest rock and roll pioneer of all time RIP Chuck Berry. We all thank u.” – Randy Jackson, Record Producer
“Chuck Berry merged blues & swing into the phenomenon of early rock’n’roll. In music, he cast one of the longest shadows. Thank You Chuck.” – The Jacksons
“Music was changed forever by Chuck Berry’s ground breaking impact. What a great life in music.” – Legendary Producer, L.A. Reid