Posted on 03/18/2017 4:55:17 PM PDT by lbtbell
Chuck Berry, who died Saturday at 90, was one of the architects of rock'n'roll as a singer, songwriter and guitarist. More than any artist of the '50s, his songs exploded with imagery that saw rock'n'roll not just as a fad but as the future -- a vision of freedom that transcended generation and race.
Berry's opening solo on "Johnny B. Goode" blared reveille for subsequent generations of rockers. Every rock guitarist since is in his debt. In addition, Berry wrote and sang at least two dozen rock'n'roll classics, including Maybellene, Roll Over Beethoven, and Back in the U.S.A., many of them recorded at Chicago's Chess Studios in the 1950s and '60s and later covered by countless artists, including the Beatles, Beach Boys and Rolling Stones.
"If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry'," John Lennon once said.
He was one of rock'n'roll's defining figures, and also one of its most notorious -- he was imprisoned three times over his life for various offenses.
St. Charles County (Missouri) police said officers responded to a medical emergency on Buckner Road about 12:40 p.m. Saturday. Inside the home, they "observed an unresponsive man and immediately administered lifesaving techniques." Berry was pronounced dead at 1:26 p.m. The department released a statement confirming the death of Charles Edward Anderson Berry Sr., better known as legendary musician Chuck Berry.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
“Keith is just too cool to die.”
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Besides that, we must leave something to pass on to our great-grandchildren
RIP, Mr. Berry
You brought smiles back
You nailed it, Ray.
When I was growing up in London in the early 70’s the most popular sing- a-long record on the jukebox was ‘always ‘My Ding a Ling’...everybody young and old loved that song...
RIP to a Rock n’ Roll icon..
As we motivate over the hill we should all leave a legacy like he has. RIP.
Berry had the look, the moves, the steps, the style, the licks, the sound, the stage presence that EVERY Rock ‘n Roller has copied since the 1950’s.
He was and always will be the King of Rock ‘n Roll.
As the old joke goes, if there's ever an all-out nuclear war, the only living things that will survive will be cockroaches and Keith Richards.
That is awesome, sending his music in space. Makes me smile at the old joke of something so great is it “out of this world”.
R.I.P and God Bless Check Berry.
Always loved his music and always will.
Anytime I hear it I want to sing and dance.
It is a very special person who can bring so much joy to so many.
Every time someone lights a cigarette, God adds a day to Keith Richards life.
Keith Richards and Chuck Berry playing Nadine together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5madtiLf7DI
“If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry’,” John Lennon once said.
When the average person thinks of rock and roll, they normally think of Elvis Presley, who predated Chuck Berry.
Here’s my Chuck Berry story:
We were playing in Phoenix, and a group of friends had a band called “Gabriel,” a 9-piece horn band Chicago/Blood, Sweat & Tears style.
Berry was hired to do a big concert. He hired Gabriel. First, he showed up and we heard he demanded his money in cash, in a brown paper bag.
Second, he looked at the band and said to the horns, “I don’t use horns, so you’re fired.” He looked at the keyboard player and said, “I don’t need keyboards.” He looked at the guitarist and said, “I don’t need a rhythm guitar.” The only guys he kept of the nine was the drummer and bass player :)
RIP.
True to form, Sagan managed to work the word, “billion,” into the letter.
“True to form, Sagan managed to work the word, “billion,” into the letter.”
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Used to get a kick out of it when Johnny Carson would do his Sagan impression.
I always considered him the REAL KING OF ROCK AND ROLL.
RIP to the best there ever was. Even his cousin Marvin and Calvin Kline knew hew was destined for greatness.
Of rock’s pioneers, we are left with Fats Domino and Little Richard.
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