Chuck Berry may be the inventor of Rock n Roll as we know it. Berry is considered one of rock’s greatest songwriters and guitarists. He successfully merged country storytelling with rhythm and blues to create his own unique sound. After contacting Chess Records, Berry cut “Maybelline” and his career and rock n roll itself exploded. Berry continued to pump out hits like “Johnny B. Goode,” “Rock n Roll Music,” “Sweet Sixteen,” and many others. In 1959, Berry was on top of the world when scandal hit and derailed his career. After a stint in prison, he returned to witness British Invasion artists covering his songs. Berry scored some more hits and then faded. However, his innovation, songwriting, guitar playing, attitude, and duck walk made Berry the first king of Rock n Roll.
Rock n Roll Moment: Berry hired a 14 year old runaway to work at his club. After being fired, she was arrested for prostitution. They tied the white girl to Berry and he was sent to prison for 5 years.
Essential Chuck Berry:
The Great Twenty-Eight (1982)
Hail! Hail! Rock n Roll (1987)
Chuck Berry’s Top 10:
Maybellene
Roll Over Beethoven
Brown Eyed Handsome Man
School Days
Rock n Roll Music
Johnny B Goode
Back in the USA
My Ding-a-Ling
Thirty Days
Too Much Monkey Business
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