Keith Richards once said this about Chuck Berry: "It's very difficult for me to talk about Chuck Berry because I've lifted every lick he ever played. This is the gentleman who started it all!"

Of all the early rock and roll artists, none are more important then Chuck. He is the music's greatest songwriter, instrumental voice, guitar player and greatest performer. Simply put, many of the later rock bands wouldn’t exist without him. There would be no Chuck Berry guitar intro that would get a place rockin' in no time. The rhythms of rockabilly wouldn’t have turned into the standard rock and roll beat without him. The whole history of rock songwriting would look much poorer without him.

Chuck is the laureate of rock n' roll. In the mid-50s, he took a fledgling blues and country idiom and gave it identity. A true original, he created some of rock's greatest riffs and put them to lyrics that have shaped rock for generations. Also, he has written countless classics like "Johnny B Goode" and "No Particular Place To Go" that thousands of artists have covered and have stood the musical test of time. In a lot of ways, how the music worked, what it was about and who it appealed to were things Chuck Berry understood.

While many may think Elvis is the one who invented rock and roll, Berry did more to put the pieces together like on his first single, "Maybellene", he played country guitar licks over a base of R&B. the distorted sound of his guitar captured the wild, untamable power of rock. The song also included a red hot guitar solo constructed around his trademark licks. It launched Chuck's career and opened the door for a decade of hits.

His quick-witted, fast paced lyrics focused of things that mattered to teens in the 50s: cars, romance and rocking out. His riff-driven music captured the essence of a forward-thinking nation, chasing the dream of an open road in a fast car. During the 1950s, Chuck painted America as a land of fun and excitement.

Those who don't credit him as influence on rock and roll or like his music and showmanship show their ignorance of rock history as well as Berry's place as the father of rock.

Of course, Chuck's influence on rock has been pasted down from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix to Eric Clapton, Areosmith and AC/DC.

Posted by Andrew on Tuesday, 06/11/2013 @ 22:10pm

Saw this legend for the fifth-consecutive year last week in St. Louis! And as his friend Joe Edwards (owner of rock and roll St. L restaurant Blueberry Hill and developer for the St. Louis Delmar Loop) always points out when introducing him: 'The first person ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame....'.

I've shook Chuck Berry's hand a couple times and he is an awesome guy. I make it a priority to see him every year until he stops (started in '09) and he can still play a mean guitar, and he's a fabulous entertainer....at 87!

If you live in the Midwest or nearby, do NOT miss your chance to see this living legend live! He performs at Blueberry Hill every third Wednesday each month (this month was his 198th time doing that!)

Posted by Jason Voigt on Tuesday, 11/19/2013 @ 13:19pm

Wow, Jason, you have met Mr. Berry. That is so cool. Would love to see him sometime (and I know the days are getting few for that).

That's something you can tell your grandkids one day.

Posted by Paul in KY on Wednesday, 11/20/2013 @ 08:08am

Jason,

I live in the St. Louis area and I have to agree, seeing Berry at Blueberry Hill is kind of a right of passage since he is our icon. Not to mention Blueberry Hill has some of the best burgers in town. People don't give St. Louis credit for it's rich musical history. The city has played some part in shaping quite a bit of Popular Music. While it isn't Nashville or Detroit, it has been the hometown of some great musicians. And we tend to draw great talent when it is on tour from the large artists to the indie.

Did you ever get the chance to see Fontella Bass perform locally? She was known for her big hit "Rescue Me", but used to perform regularly around town. I was always shocked by how wonderful she was live. She died last year sadly. So I hope you got to see her.

Posted by Chris F. on Wednesday, 11/20/2013 @ 09:35am

Yeah it was a thrill I must say!

No unfortunately I did not see Fontella Bass live during her lifetime. I knew she was a St. Louisan, but I was only familiar with her one Top 10 hit. Sad that she passed away at an early age last year. I remember about three years ago I met a couple members of The 5th Dimension as they were being inducted onto the St. Louis Walk of Fame. Not a lot of people realize there are a lot of soul legends (and not-so legends) that are from there and who currently reside in St. L.

I think its very awesome that Chuck is still performing and doing what he loves best at his age, as well as touring (he recently wrapped up an Asian/European tour). That being said, his concerts have become more of a jam session more than just a series of his songs. Some people may get turned off by that, and in some cases he forgets the lyrics. My point is: it wouldn't surprise me if he hangs up his rock and roll shoes soon. It doesn't bother me one bit. All I know is its a thrill to be under the same roof as Chuck Berry.

Posted by Jason Voigt on Wednesday, 11/20/2013 @ 10:42am

Jason,

I wouldn't be surprised if Chuck spends his last moments on stage. The man seems to love it.

Posted by Chris F. on Wednesday, 11/20/2013 @ 10:47am

Keith Richard once said "It's very difficult for me to talk about Chuck Berry because I've lifted every lick he ever played. This is the gentleman who started it all!"

Of all the 50s rock artists, none are more important in the development of rock n' roll than Chuck Berry. He narrated the teen experience of the 50s with a writing and musical creativity unmatched by other 50s rockers. His songs about struggle, romance, and dancing provide the listener with a lyrical mixture reflecting the first try at self-sufficiency by the youth of the 50s.

He is one of its greatest songwriter, its instrumental voice, its greatest guitarist and one of its greatest performers. Simply put, many of the later rock bands wouldn’t exist without him. There would be no "Chuck Berry guitar intro," which could get a joint rockin’ in no time. The rhythms of rockabilly wouldn’t have been transformed into the now standard rock n' roll beat. The whole history of rock and roll would have looked much poorer without him.

Chuck is the eminent poet of rock and roll. In the mid 50s, he took a fledgling blues and country and western idiom and gave it identity. A true original, Berry created many of rock and roll's best riffs and paired them with words that shaped the language of rock n’ roll for years to come. He has written countless rock songs that have been covered by a multitude of artists and have stood the test of time. In a way, he understood the power of rock n' roll, how it was played, what it was about, and who it was for.

While no individual singer can be credited with inventing rock n' roll, Chuck did more than any other singer to put the pieces together. Dave Marsh once said that Chuck Berry was to rock n' roll what Louis Armstrong was to jazz.

On Chuck's first single, "Maybellene," he played country guitar licks over a rhythm and blues base. The distorted sound of the guitar captured the untamed sprit of rock n' roll. The song also included a brief but fiery solo built around Berry's trademark double string guitar licks. It kicked off Berry's career and opened the door for a stream of classic songs over the next few years.

Chuck's quick witted, rapid-fire lyrics focused on cars, romance, and rocking out. He wrote for teen audiences and reflected their interests and attitudes in songs like "School Days," and "Sweet Little Sixteen." His riff-driven music captured the spirit of a nation on the move in the post-WWII era, pursuing the promise of the open road in fast cars. During the high spirited 50s, Chuck painted America as a land of fun and opportunity.

The mid 50s were a time of rising prosperity for a growing middle class and the social landscape was slowly starting to change for African Americans as the civil rights era began. In "Back in the U.S.A.," Chuck salutes such everyday pleasures like jukeboxes and diners.

Chuck’s success had a lot to do with a knack for turning a phrase. With a witty and beautiful use of language, Berry sang about what it meant to be a teenager in the charging world of the 50s. Whether describing the boredom of being in school in “School Day” or the liberating power of “Rock and Roll Music,” Berry observed and recorded that world with skillful ease.

To this day, some of Chuck’s songs like “Johnny B. Goode,” “Rock and Roll Music,” and “Roll Over Beethoven” is required listening for any serious music fan and required learning for any bubbling rock musician. Chuck gave rock an archetypal character in "Johnny B. Goode." Berry is also responsible for one of the most recognizable stage moves in rock and roll, the duckwalk.

Following “Maybellene,” Chuck had 7 more Top 40 hits over the next half-decade. He also appeared in several rock and roll films including “Rock, Rock, Rock,” and “Go, Johnny, Go!” Singles were the best way for Berry’s teenage fans to absorb his output during his golden decade, spanning 1955-1965.

Chuck’s albums mixed his rock and roll songs with blues, ballads, and instrumentals he enjoyed playing away from the stage. It’s worth saying that Berry was considerably older than the teens for whom he was writing music for and was nearly twice the age of the teenagers that he wrote “Sweet Little Sixteen.”

His discography of not only his big hits, but lesser known songs like “Little Queenie,” “Around and Around,” and “Let It Rock” were devoured and mastered by an army of eager musical apprentices in Britain. Indeed, Berry’s discography of lyrics and licks paved the way for The British Invasion.

Despite his fame, Chuck did suffer from occasional controversy and imprisoning. His career took a high hit in 1959 when he was arrested for transporting a minor across state lines with an intention for prostitution, but he did recover and is still rockin’ as hard as ever.

Those who do not acknowledge him as an influential artist or respect his music and showmanship show their ignorance of rock and roll history as well as Chuck’s place as rock’s first great creator. Elvis may have made rock and roll popular, but Chuck Berry is its heartbeat and originator. John Lennon probably said it best, “If you’re going to give rock and roll another name, you might as well call it Chuck Berry.”

Of course, Chuck's influence on rock artists from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who to Jeff Beck, Neil Young, and Aerosmith can still be heard and seen to this day.

I personally was introduced to Chuck Berry when I watched “Back To The Future,” but I soon started listening to songs like “Reelin’ And Rockin’,” and “School Days” and I just left there thinking, “Wow, this guy is super talented, both in songwriting and guitar playing! He’s just awesome!”

It’s also worth saying that along with Buddy Holly, Chuck was one of the few rock n’ roll singers of the 50s who wrote his own songs.

Posted by Andrew on Monday, 03/31/2014 @ 01:27am

Keith Richard once said "It's very difficult for me to talk about Chuck Berry because I've lifted every lick he ever played. This is the gentleman who started it all!"

Of all the 50s rock artists, none are more important in the development of rock n' roll than Chuck Berry. He narrated the teen experience of the 50s with a writing and musical creativity unmatched by other 50s rockers. His songs about struggle, romance, and dancing provide the listener with a lyrical mixture reflecting the first try at self-sufficiency by the youth of the 50s.

He is one of its greatest songwriter, one of its instrumental voices, its greatest guitarist and one of its greatest performers. Simply put, many of the later rock bands wouldn’t exist without him. There would be no "Chuck Berry guitar intro," which could get a joint rockin’ in no time. The rhythms of rockabilly wouldn’t have been transformed into the now standard rock n' roll beat. The whole history of rock and roll would have looked much poorer without him.

Chuck is the eminent poet of rock and roll. In the mid 50s, he took a fledgling blues and country and western idiom and gave it identity. A true original, Berry created many of rock and roll's best riffs and paired them with words that shaped the language of rock n’ roll for years to come. He has written countless rock songs that have been covered by a multitude of artists and have stood the test of time. In a way, he understood the power of rock n' roll, how it was played, what it was about, and who it was for.

While no individual singer can be credited with inventing rock n' roll, Chuck did more than any other singer to put the pieces together. Dave Marsh once said that Chuck Berry was to rock n' roll what Louis Armstrong was to jazz.

On Chuck's first single, "Maybellene," he played country guitar licks over a rhythm and blues base. The distorted sound of the guitar captured the untamed sprit of rock n' roll. The song also included a brief but fiery solo built around Berry's trademark double string guitar licks. It kicked off Berry's career and opened the door for a stream of classic songs over the next few years.

Chuck's quick witted, rapid-fire lyrics focused on cars, romance, and rocking out. He wrote for teen audiences and reflected their interests and attitudes in songs like "School Days," and "Sweet Little Sixteen." His riff-driven music captured the spirit of a nation on the move in the post-WWII era, pursuing the promise of the open road in fast cars.

During the high spirited 50s, Chuck painted America as a land of fun and opportunity. The mid 50s were a time of rising prosperity for a growing middle class and the social landscape was slowly starting to change for African Americans as the civil rights era began. In "Back in the U.S.A.," Chuck salutes such everyday pleasures like jukeboxes and diners.

Chuck’s success had a lot to do with a knack for turning a phrase. With a witty and beautiful use of language, Berry sang about what it meant to be a teenager in the charging world of the 50s. Whether describing the boredom of being in school in “School Day” or the liberating power of “Rock and Roll Music,” Berry observed and recorded that world with skillful ease.

To this day, some of Chuck’s songs like “Johnny B. Goode,” “Rock and Roll Music,” and “Roll Over Beethoven” is required listening for any serious music fan and required learning for any bubbling rock musician. Chuck gave rock an archetypal character in "Johnny B. Goode." Berry is also responsible for one of the most recognizable stage moves in rock and roll, the duckwalk.

Following “Maybellene,” Chuck had 7 more Top 40 hits over the next half-decade. He also appeared in several rock and roll films including “Rock, Rock, Rock,” and “Go, Johnny, Go!”

Singles were the best way for Berry’s teenage fans to absorb his output during his golden decade, spanning 1955-1965. Chuck’s albums mixed his rock and roll songs with blues, ballads, and instrumentals he enjoyed playing away from the stage. It’s worth saying that Berry was considerably older than the teens for whom he was writing music for and was nearly twice the age of the teenagers that he wrote “Sweet Little Sixteen.”

His discography of not only hits, but lesser known songs like “Little Queenie,” “Around and Around,” and “Let It Rock” were devoured and mastered by an army of eager musical apprentices in Britain. Indeed, Berry’s discography of lyrics and licks paved the way for The British Invasion.

Despite his fame, Chuck did suffer from occasional controversy and imprisoning. His career took a high hit in 1959 when he was arrested for transporting a minor across state lines with an intention for prostitution, but he did recover and is still rockin’ as hard as ever.

Those who do not acknowledge him as an influential artist or respect his music and showmanship show their ignorance of rock and roll history as well as Chuck’s place as rock’s first great creator. Elvis may have made rock and roll popular, but Chuck Berry is its heartbeat and originator. John Lennon probably said it best, “If you’re going to give rock and roll another name, you might as well call it Chuck Berry.”

Of course, Chuck's influence on rock artists from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who to Jeff Beck, Neil Young, and Aerosmith can still be heard and see in to this day.

I personally was introduced to Chuck Berry when I watched “Back To The Future,” but I soon started listening to songs like “Reelin’ And Rockin’,” and “School Days” and I just left there thinking, “Wow, this guy is super talented, both in songwriting and guitar playing! He’s just awesome!”

It’s also worth saying that along with Buddy Holly, Chuck was one of the few rock n’ roll singers of the 50s who wrote his own songs.

Posted by Andrew on Monday, 03/31/2014 @ 01:30am

Time flies. I was just thinking about my debut on FRL three years ago and decided to make a momentary return just to reflect on a few comments I posted.

First, I've come to revise my statement about Chuck Berry being the father of rock 'n' roll. I've anointed Louis Jordan as the true father of R'N'R. Jordan may not have played the electric guitar, but he and his Tympany Five established the template that influenced numerous R'N'R artists and bands: An all-around artist (singer, musician, songwriter, bandleader), an infectious rhythm, beat, and energy in both the vocals and the instruments, interplay between musicians, and witty lyrics. In a nutshell, they possessed all the components that any true R'N'R band ought to have. If only they had widespread name recognition, unlike some of the bores that get passed off as "rock legends". I'll see to it in my lifetime that more people are exposed to the exuberance and quality musicianship of Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five.

Secondly, my musical tastes have dramatically changed in the last four years. I attribute that primarily to meeting some great people at my college that helped expose me to some tremendous non-RNR music as well as the resources available the academic library network. I also took the time to invest in various literature to learn more about pre-1964 music. I shed the last remaining vestiges of my teenage "rockist" years in college and acquired numerous swing, blues, bebop, R&B, jump blues, country-western, bluegrass, and gospel albums, as well as other genres and sub-genres too countless to mention. Aside from the first golden age of rock 'n' roll music and some later eras, I've become bored with the majority of R'N'R music. I established my distaste for The Beatles and other sacred cow bands the very day I arrived here, but I've gone even further in altering my musical tastes. I consider it a badge of honor that I have zero recordings from The Rolling Stones (a band who I enjoy some songs by, but not enough to add them to my library), The Who (ditto), Neil Young (my all-time most despised act, heh-heh), AC/DC, The Clash, KISS, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Creedence Clearwater Revival, or Guns 'n Roses in my library. All of the aforementioned are simply too overexposed and repetitive for me to ever have a change of heart about, including those who have always been high on my dislike list.

I've also come around to recognize the importance and value of the tunes that comprise the appropriately-named Great American Songbook. Simply put, the works of composers like Irving Berlin, George & Ira Gershwin, George M. Cohan, and Cole Porter are just flawless, and I say this as someone who generally doesn't care for lyrics. That these songs continue to be interpreted and reinterpreted by countless names is testament to their transcendence. Anyone who dismisses these songs as "old people's music" is just plain ignorant of the lasting power and complexity of these tunes.

I'll end it here by saying that I have no intentions of making a full-time return to this site. I'll pop back in once in a blue moon, but I feel the focus of this site is too narrow for my liking. I have no interest in discussing the abomination that is the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, considering the large presence of subpar names they've been inducting lately. My online music discussion activities are restricted to some Facebook groups, and that's about it. I like discussing music in real life better than on online forums, anyway.

Later.

Posted by Zach on Wednesday, 04/2/2014 @ 21:46pm

IMO, you're still a callow dipwad.

Posted by Paul in KY on Thursday, 04/3/2014 @ 07:33am

Always so predictable, Paul. No depth or logic to your comments. Musically speaking, I' m wise beyond my years, possibly more so than some people who are twice or three times my age, such as you. Your characterization of me as being callow is highly inaccurate. I didn't ask for your myopic opinions, so my advice to you is to get lost. You're not worth discussing music with, anyway.

In closing, I offer this W.C. fields quote, which aptly sums up your unwarranted attacks against me:

"If at first, you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it."

Posted by Zachary on Thursday, 04/3/2014 @ 11:46am

yeah cool BYE.

Posted by GFW on Thursday, 04/3/2014 @ 13:22pm

Adiós, pequeño burro.

Posted by Zach on Thursday, 04/3/2014 @ 13:42pm

Zach, I personally see Chuck Berry as the father of rock n' roll, but as you have pointed out to me before, I do regarde early blues, country and R&B artists like Louis Jordan as a hugh influence on rock and roll artists. Of of course, I do own my thanks to you for introducing me to Jordan as I had never even heard of him before I read your comments on him.

You and I need to email each other more often as we haven't talked in a while.

I do hope everything is going well for you, man!

Posted by Andrew on Thursday, 04/3/2014 @ 19:39pm

Andrew, I previously posted my e-mail address on the 2014 Inductees page, so if you want to talk with me privately, please send me a message at that address. Thanks! I hope to hear from you soon.

Posted by Zach on Thursday, 04/17/2014 @ 02:47am

Hey, guys. I have this little thing for all the people who have been inducted, and some of the guys I think will be inducted. Here is the question I want y'all to ansewer:

WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF YOU COMPLETELY REMOVE CHUCK BERRY FROM ROCK AND ROLL?

Posted by Karl Singleton on Sunday, 05/18/2014 @ 20:09pm

Hey, guys. I have this little thing for all the people who have been inducted, and some of the guys I think will be inducted. Here is the question I want y'all to ansewer:

WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF YOU COMPLETELY REMOVE CHUCK BERRY FROM ROCK AND ROLL?

Posted by Karl Singleton on Sunday, 05/18/2014 @ 20:09pm

Not changing genres. But if he had never been an artist. How would it have changed rock?

Posted by Karl Singleton on Sunday, 05/18/2014 @ 20:10pm

Since I just happened to make one of my infrequent visits here and noticed your posts, Karl, I'll be the first to answer your scenario.

If Chuck Berry were to be entirely eliminated from rock 'n' roll, I think Bo Diddley would have been the primary R'N'R influence as a complete artist (singer, instrumentalist, performer, songwriter, etc.). I love Chuck's music, but I feel Bo was a more inventive guitarist and experimented with more varied rhythms (i.e. slow blues on Before You Accuse Me, shuffle rhythm on Down Home Special, horn rhythm on The Greatest Lover in the World, etc.). Bo would have also potentially become Chess's most commercially successful and nationally recognizable recording act. Whether Bo would have attained the same level of national recognition as Chuck is debateable. In the overall scheme of things, Bo is perhaps only two or three levels below Chuck for overall historical importance and innovation in developing rock 'n roll (The Rock Hall Pyramid on FRL is absolutely asinine for having Johnny Cash, Elton John, Bob Marley, Neil Young, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Ramones, and friggin' John Lennon ranked over Bo. No way in hell are any of them more significant than Bo).

The worst aspect of hypothetically eliminating Berry from rock 'n' roll is that you lose scores of great songs in the process - Havana Moon, Carol, School Day, No Money Down, Memphis Tennessee, Back in the U.S.A., Little Queenie, etc. Granted, it wouldn't be a bad thing to omit some of his shameless soundalike recordings from the records, but Chuck's overall output is very strong. A world without Brown Eyed Handsome Man to listen to wouldn't be worth living in, if you hadda ask me.

Posted by Zach on Friday, 05/23/2014 @ 19:59pm

“If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry.” - John Lennon

RIP

Posted by Gass3268 on Saturday, 03/18/2017 @ 18:21pm

Hail! Hail! Rock And Roll!

Thank you for everything Chuck.

Rest in peace.

Posted by Philip on Saturday, 03/18/2017 @ 19:33pm

This is a day in rock we reflect...RIP MR BERRY..
So many have left us in the last few months
WOW

Posted by Happy on Saturday, 03/18/2017 @ 19:37pm

RIP Chuck Berry. I was very fortunate to see him live five times during his late years, as well as meeting him and shaking his hand. Personal life and controversy aside, he helped inspire so many. I mean, the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Dead have all covered him. If it wasn't for Chuck, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards would not have started a band. I could keep going, but the legends have kept his influence alive. When I saw Aerosmith and Bruce Springsteen perform live in St. Louis, they both did a Chuck Berry song. Chuck loved St. Louis, and I was proud that he was from my home city. Despite all his troubles, he continued to do what he loved all the time - performing.

Posted by Jason Voigt on Saturday, 03/18/2017 @ 19:56pm

Wow, of the first class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, only Fats Domino, Don Everly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard are left.

Rest in Peace Chuck Berry, 1926-2017.

Posted by Joe on Saturday, 03/18/2017 @ 22:37pm

I think the greatest tribute to Chuck Berry--even greater than membership in the inaugural class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame--is on Voyager I. Among the recordings, including greetings in 55 different languages, is a sampling of the music of various cultures. Amid the religious chants, the baroque, classical, Navajo chants and traditional music is, representative of rock and roll, "Johnny B. Goode."

Most of the Rock and Roll we hear on the radio is heard around the world. Chuck Berry's has gone beyond the universe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contents_of_the_Voyager_Golden_Record

Posted by Joe on Saturday, 03/18/2017 @ 22:54pm

May Chuck Berry rest in peace. :'(

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hpCGXh4qBY[/url]

It looks likely now that Roll Over Beethoven could very well be sung by Jeff Lynne's ELO for the 2017 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony closing jam.

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uk84icbn78[/url]

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1i5coU-0_Q[/url]

8-)

Posted by Rick Vendl II on Sunday, 03/19/2017 @ 11:53am

Rockaria! by Electric Light Orchestra, for Chuck Berry... 8-)

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfK8t4j7I64[/url]

Posted by Rick Vendl II on Monday, 03/20/2017 @ 02:32am

R.I.P., Chuck Berry.

To truly appreciate the musical talents of Berry, you have to go beyond the obvious songs and hits and delve deep into his catalogue for gems like Wee Wee Hours (Evidence that Chuck could play strong, smokey blues; his vocal phrasing is reminiscent of T-Bone Walker, one of his primary influences as a guitarist and vocalist; dig Johnnie Johnson's barrelhouse piano riffs, too!), Downbound Train (I'm not a major lyrics person, but this contains some of Berry's best, in regards to how he frames the evils of alcoholism in the context of an alcoholic blacking out and waking up to find himself in a train bound for Hell; fantastic rhythm section with the usually tasty Berry guitar licks), and Rockin' At the Philharmonic (A solid instrumental with fantastic unison between Berry and his band; Johnson rolls out those piano bars like a pool shark sinking racks).

BTW, screw those who complain (misguidedly, I might add) that Berry's songs all sound the same. Clearly they haven't invested much time in his vast catalogue, beyond the obvious hits. The three songs I cited, plus many others I could bring up, all clearly display the different styles and sounds Berry and his band were able to conjure.

Although I sincerely hope the Hall of Shame will have the integrity to pay homage to Berry at this year's induction ceremony, I definitely won't be tuning in; with the exception of Tupac (not a major fan, and he's also deceased, but I will give him his due for expanding rap beyond its narrow parameters, along with other greats like Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, Kurtis Blow, Whodini, and a few others I'm forgetting now) and maybe ELO & Yes, none of the inductees are worthy of tying Berry's shoelaces (Joan Baez? What a joke! No rock, roll, rhythm, soul, or beat in her weak, candy-ass junk).

I've grown to explore and love the guys who helped shape Berry, perhaps even moreso than Berry (like the aforementioned T-Bone Walker, as well as Carl Hogan, Louis Jordan, and Muddy Watters), but I will always count myself as a Berry fan and hold the man and his music in high esteem.

Posted by Zach on Sunday, 04/2/2017 @ 17:07pm

Zach wrote: "I will always count myself as a Berry fan and hold the man and his music in high esteem"

I won't argue the music, his influence and output are top notch. Part of your statement though says that you will always hold the "man" in high esteem. Really? Have you read anything about Chuck Berry as a man? Read this NY Post article and defend your statement please.

https://www.google.com/amp/nypost.com/2017/03/21/the-dark-past-of-chuck-berrys-scandal-filled-sex-life/amp/

Posted by Classic Rock on Sunday, 04/2/2017 @ 18:12pm

Allow me to amend that statement, slightly:

I will always count myself as a Berry fan and hold the artist and his music in high esteem.

Does that clarify where I stand with Chuck enough, Classic Rock? I never said I approved of his personal conduct as a person.

Posted by Zach on Sunday, 04/2/2017 @ 19:36pm

Much better!

Posted by Classic Rock on Sunday, 04/2/2017 @ 21:07pm

http://leonardcohenhallsoffame.blogspot.ca/2012/02/2012-pen-new-england-award_26.html

So there is Chuck Berry and then there is me, and I don't know who comes next, but it certainly is an inevitability. Thank you so much friends. Ever since I think the only exclamation in our literature that rivals Walt Whitman's declaration of his barbaric yawp is Chuck Berry's Roll Over, Beethoven. Those two expressions of American ingenuity are really what has defined our activity, and from Chuck Berry all the way down to us is a straight line from that Roll Over, Beethoven because if Beethoven hadn't rolled over, there wouldn't have been room for any of us. So friends, I am deeply grateful for this recognition, but I also want to say that in another sense, all of us are just footnotes to the work of Chuck Berry, and like a footnote, I want to keep it brief and light. So thanks a lot friends.

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 04/6/2017 @ 03:53am

http://leonardcohenhallsoffame.blogspot.ca/2012/02/2012-pen-new-england-award_26.html

So there is Chuck Berry and then there is me, and I don't know who comes next, but it certainly is an inevitability. Thank you so much friends. Ever since I think the only exclamation in our literature that rivals Walt Whitman's declaration of his barbaric yawp is Chuck Berry's Roll Over, Beethoven. Those two expressions of American ingenuity are really what has defined our activity, and from Chuck Berry all the way down to us is a straight line from that Roll Over, Beethoven because if Beethoven hadn't rolled over, there wouldn't have been room for any of us. So friends, I am deeply grateful for this recognition, but I also want to say that in another sense, all of us are just footnotes to the work of Chuck Berry, and like a footnote, I want to keep it brief and light. So thanks a lot friends.

-Leonard Cohen

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 04/6/2017 @ 03:54am