Chuck Berry

Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry (born October 18, 1926) is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music.  With songs such as Maybellene, Roll Over Beethoven, Rock and Roll Music and Johnny B. Goode, he refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive.  With lyrics that focused on teen life, cars and consumerism, utilizing guitar solos and showmanship Chuck Berry was a major influence on all subsequent rock music. Berry was among the first musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on its opening in 1986, with the comment that he laid the groundwork for not only a rock and roll sound but a rock and roll stance.  Chuck was ranked fifth On the Rolling Stone magazine - 100 Greatest Aetists of All Time list.  Today, at the age of 86, Berry continues to play live.

In the summer of 1971, my band won a contest to back-up Chuck Berry at a dance show at the south end of six.  With great excitement and anticipation, we rolled out of death valley loaded down with our equipment and rented extra amps, mics and lights for the occasion.  We set up and by 8:30 started playing a set of rock 'n' roll songs.  A few people were dancing (our family and friends) but most were milling about waiting for Chuck.  Waiting, waiting and waiting... Chuck showed up at 10:30 looking disheveled, like he had slept in his car, and immediately demanded full payment from the promoter.  This took place at the side of the stage with Chuck and the promoter arguing over the gate.  Chuck also wanted to be sure that our pay, such as it was, did not come out of his share.  At a pause, I introduced myself and the band to Chuck and asked him what songs we would be playing?  Laughing out loud Chuck said we're gonna do Chuck Berry songs and turned back to his argument with the promoter. At a quarter to twelve, having changed his clothes, freshened up and tuned his guitar (I guess), Chuck came on stage, plugged his guitar in and started an opening riff, you know the one that starts about 100 Chuck Berry songs.  We were frantic, first to tune our guitars to whatever key Chuck was using and secondly to figure out what song he was singing.  The microphone speakers were in front of us facing the dance floor while the guitars, drums and piano amps were behind us.  I don't really know what songs we played during the 45 minute set.

I do know that Chuck played fast and loud, much faster than we thought was possible.  A sight, in the lights, that I will never forget was our drummer drenched in sweat, a human fountain, with sprays of sweat splashing off his drum kit.  Chuck was everywhere on stage, duck walking and grinning like a madman, as he played his Chuck Berry songs.  The truth is that he didn't need us at all, we were just a hinderance, or, at best, an amuusement for him. Suddenly it was quiet, he had unplugged his guitar and left the stage.  By the time I put my guitar down and brushed off a chic, he was gone, long gone with only the tail lights of his caddy fading down the six.  I went back inside and finished up the show with his biggest commercial hit My Ding 'A' Ling during which I vented some frustration by changing the refrain to He's gone to play with his ding 'a' ling! At the time I was disappointed, frustrated and angry (it was nothing as I had imagined it to be).  However, over time, I got over it.  I realized that Chuck was just playing out the string, collecting his dues, on the road, alone in his caddy heading everywhere and nowhere.

Wanderin' Spirit
February, 2007
"Chuck Berry"

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