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| Rock n' roll remains
an ever-changing force in music, and though its wheels were set in motion
by a number of pioneers from backgrounds of blues and jazz, one man is
still seen as the typical "rocker". Chuck Berry is a legend, not only for
his work in developing a wildly popular style of music, but also for the
exceptional guitar innovations that have helped to define it. Born October
18, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri, young Chuck sang in the choir of his Baptist
church. He learned to play the guitar while attending Summer High School
and received lessons from a local jazz guitarist of some renown - Ira Harris.
He developed basic skills using a four-string tenor guitar, but by 1950,
graduated to a six-string electric. Berry began playing professionally
in 1952, and toured around various St. Louis nightclubs before forming
The Sir John Trio on New Year's Eve. Johnnie Johnson, beloved for his piano
boogie riffs, headed the band. Eddie Hardy served as the drummer and thus
completed the triangle. The three soon became a staple at the Cosmopolitan
Club in East St. Louis, and as Berry's reputation grew, Johnson wisely
chose to rename the group The Chuck Berry Trio. Most popular around the
St. Louis area was "hillbilly" music (a style of country whose following
was predominately white), and though the trio was very much blues-oriented,
Berry's experimentation with the hillbilly style in his live shows drew
more and more listeners. While he had always attracted a black audience,
his hillbilly tunes allowed him to integrate whites as well. In 1955, at
a Chicago nightclub, Berry met his hero, Muddy Waters. Eager for advice
from the esteemed blues man, Chuck asked where he might be able to secure
a recording contract. Waters directed him to Chess Records, captained by
Leonard Chess. Believing that his proficiency with the blues would impress
the record mogul (for Chess Records was a well-known blues label), Berry
auditioned with confidence. However, much to his surprise, Mr. Chess
was more intrigued by the hillbilly song "Ida Red", which Berry performed
additionally. In recent years, the market for blues had been steadily receding,
and Chess was in search of a new angle. On May 21, 1955, Berry recorded
"Ida Red", which was re-named "Maybellene" (taken from the cosmetics company).
Along with Johnnie Johnson, Jerome Green (a veteran of Bo Diddley's band)
on maracas, Jasper Thomas as drummer, and Willie Dixon for the bass, Chuck
Berry's band, and music career, were about to take off. "Maybellene" had
a rhythm & blues feel intertwined with elements of country. This unique
blend rocketed the single to the #1 spot on the R&B charts, in addition
to making an appearance on the pop listings as well. Berry enjoyed twenty
more hits between 1957 and 1960, including the eternally popular "Johnny
B. Goode" (the tune that Michael J. Fox rocked-out to in Back To The
Future). Berry punctuated many of his pieces with his own creative
soloing, and repeatedly mixed blues, country, and his personal musical
intuition to help newfangled rock n' roll find acceptance in society. Chuck
Berry developed a driving rock and roll rhythm that distinguished his interpretation
of rock music from other trailblazers of the time. Berry's lyrics were
also widely touted for their complexity (in comparison to the other more
childish and saccharine vocals of the time). Berry wrote deeply about the
adolescent experience - growing up, first loves, confusion and curiosity,
etc. - in addition to his world-famous feel-good jams. He accumulated a
number of tremendous accomplishments: He became the first guitarist/singer
to reach the charts, his was a form of music that both black and white
audiences alike could enjoy together, and he broke new ground by being
among the first black songwriter/performers. Chuck Berry's fame became
so prevalent that he was even cast in several major motion pictures, including
Mr. Rock N' Roll (1957) and Go Johnny Go (1959). By December
of 1959 however, Berry's glory days were behind him. He became entangled
in an ugly indictment for the solicitation of prostitution from a minor
(a case whose details were never quite clear). He was confined for four
years, but delivered two more hits, "Nadine" and "Promised Land", soon
after his release. Nevertheless, Berry slowly faded away until the late
sixties and late seventies saw his return in special "Rock Revival" shows.
He grew increasingly bitter, having little faith that his records had any
longevity. He had also been a victim of prejudice (having had song credits
stolen from him by his white colleagues and drawing scorn and harassment
from the government). Berry abandoned his band and steadily gained a reputation
as a has-been looking for a quick buck. He would arrive at concert halls;
mere minutes before he was to go on, receive his pay early, and walk on
stage to meet the band. With no rehearsals, and little effort, Chuck Berry
remains as a highly revered figure in music history, few artists can claim
that they have not been influenced by work. Now at the ripe age of 72,
he can still play his Gibson with stunning effectiveness. He was inducted
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. |
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