“If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry’” – John Lennon.
On Saturday, the music industry (and the world as a whole) lost one of the most important figures in the history of the medium, as Chuck Berry passed away at the age of 90.
A revolutionary musician who impacted the lives of countless artists (including the late Beatles frontman quoted above), Berry rose to fame in the mid-1950’s and is known as a pioneer of the rock and roll genre.
In a time when racial tensions were high in United States, the African American artist transcended cultures and broke down barriers. Berry appealed to a wide variety of Americans and energized the youth of the country with a new style of music.
Among his catalog of hits are “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Memphis,” “My Ding-a-Ling,” “Sweet Little Sixteen,” and “Johnny B. Goode.” He was known not only for his tunes and guitar skills, but the physical and energetic way in which he performed live.
If imitation is the highest form of flattery, then Berry was one of the most flattered musicians in history. Everyone from the previously mentioned Beatles to the Beach Boys to Elvis and Rolling Stones covered Berry’s hits, and his music reached a new generation of fans when Marty McFly skipped around the stage while belting “Johnny B. Goode,” in Back to the Future.
The Stones were among those praising Berry in the wake of his passing as the Twitter account for the legendary rockers stated in part: “Chuck Berry was not only a brilliant guitarist, singer and performer, but most importantly, he was a master craftsman as a songwriter.”
Individually, Keith Richards shared an image of he and Berry (with the caption: “One of my big lights has gone out”) while Mick Jagger paid tribute in a series of tweets.
I am so sad to hear of Chuck Berry’s passing. I want to thank him for all the inspirational music he gave to us. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/9zQbH5bo9V
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) March 18, 2017
He lit up our teenage years, and blew life into our dreams of being musicians and performers. 2/3 #ChuckBerry
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) March 18, 2017
His lyrics shone above others & threw a strange light on the American dream. Chuck you were amazing&your music is engraved inside us forever
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) March 18, 2017
Bruce Springsteen called Berry, “rock’s greatest practitioner, guitarist, and the greatest pure rock ‘n’ roll writer who ever lived” while Ringo Starr offered, as he so often does, “peace and love” and Brian Wilson called him a “big inspiration.”
Chuck Berry was rock’s greatest practitioner, guitarist, and the greatest pure rock ‘n’ roll writer who ever lived.
— Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) March 18, 2017
R I P. And peace and love Chuck Berry Mr. rock ‘n’ roll music 😎✌️🌟💖🎵🎶☮ pic.twitter.com/hS2S2lUORf
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) March 18, 2017
I am so sad to hear about Chuck Berry passing – a big inspiration! He will be missed by everyone who loves Rock ‘n Roll. Love & Mercy
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) March 18, 2017
Further proof that Berry’s talents influenced musicians of numerous decades and genres, the likes of Rod Stewart, Gregg Allman, Peter Frampton, Questlove, Lenny Kravitz, Keith Urban, One Republic, and Rob Zombie paid their respects on social media.
It started with Chuck Berry. He inspired us all. The 1st album I bought was Chuck’s “Live at the Tivoli” and I was never the same.
— Rod Stewart (@rodstewart) March 18, 2017
The first, the best, a friend. Rest In Peace Chuck Berry. #tweet #chuckberry pic.twitter.com/5EkW8AWb0N
— Gregg Allman (@GreggAllman) March 19, 2017
He had a gtr style that influenced so many generations of players. Oh yes and how to write a great RnR song. Rest in peace dear Chuck https://t.co/bWQogYSyqw
— Peter Frampton (@peterframpton) March 18, 2017
Thou Shall Have No Other Rock Gods Before Him #ChuckBerry rip @ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame https://t.co/bU22p2cywb
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) March 18, 2017
RIP Chuck Berry !!!! Thank you for the poetry, the passion and the potency! GO JOHNNY GO. – KU
— Keith Urban (@KeithUrban) March 18, 2017
#RIPChuckBerry. Definition of musical legend. Thanks for rock ‘n roll. 🙌🙌🙌🔥
— OneRepublic (@OneRepublic) March 18, 2017
Berry’s life and legacy also touched former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Chuck Berry rolled over everyone who came before him – and turned up everyone who came after. We’ll miss you, Chuck. Be good.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 19, 2017
Chuck Berry’s life was a treasure and a triumph, and he’ll never be forgotten. https://t.co/3Q7z0NatUd
— Bill Clinton (@billclinton) March 19, 2017
Berry was among the first class of inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, but he also continued to work. On his 90th birthday, he announced a new album was in the works and it would be dedicated to his wife of 68 years, Themetta Berry.
“This record is dedicated to my beloved Toddy,” Berry said in a media release announcing the album, which will be his first LP in 38 years. “My darlin’ I’m growing old! I’ve worked on this record for a long time. Now I can hang up my shoes!”
Berry is survived by his wife, daughters Melody Exes Berry-Eskridge, Ingrid Berry and Aloha Berry, and son Charles Berry Jr.
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(Photo credit: Twitter)