On October 18th, 1926, rock n’ roll legend Chuck Berry was born. The iconic singer and songwriter was a gifted guitarist who participated in the birth of rock and roll in America.
He earned the nickname the ‘Father of Rock and Roll’ by performing rhythm and blues with distinctive guitar tones. He was a showman who played guitar solos while dancing and doing the famous ‘Duck walk.’
Chuck’s timeless hits include ‘Maybellene,’ ‘Roll Over Beethoven,’ ‘Rock and Roll Music,’ and ‘Johnny B. Goode.’ He quickly became the most famous guitar player in rock and roll music.
Berry was born in St. Louis and showed interest in music at an early age. He did time after being convicted of armed robbery, but after his release, he married and worked at an automobile assembly plant.
Inspired by blues musician T-Bone Walker, Berry began performing with the ‘Johnnie Johnson Trio.’ In 1955, he met Muddy Waters, who connected Chuck with Leonard Chess of Chess Records.
Chuck’s first recording with Chess Records was ‘Maybellene,’ which sold over a million copies and reached number 1 on the Billboard Rhythm and Blues chart. After his initial success, Chuck scored his huge hit ‘Johnny B. Goode’ in 1958, and it hit number 2 on the Billboard Hot R&B Sides chart.
Berry’s ‘Johnny B. Goode’ is considered one of the most recognizable songs in popular music history. It was the first song about rock and roll stardom in music history. Chuck Berry owns the songwriting credit for ‘Rolling Stone’ Magazine’s 7th greatest song ever.
Chuck Berry is worth another look, and Amazon has a good amount of it. A purchase through our link sends a few cents our way and helps keep the lights on.
