Chuck Berry

Name: Charles Edward Anderson Berry
Born: 18th October, 1926 (St. Louis, Missouri, USA)

Profile: He is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. Chuck Berry refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive, with lyrics focusing on teen life and consumerism and utilizing guitar solos and showmanship that would be a major influence on subsequent rock music.

History: Berry took up guitar after inspired by his partner in the school production. Chuck had an interest in music from an early age and gave his first public performance at Sumner High School. He found that if he learned rhythm changes and blues chords, he could play most of the popular songs on the radio at the time.

Then in 1952, he began playing guitar and singing in a club band whose song list ranged from blues to ballads to calypso to country. Berry was becoming an accomplished showman, incorporating gestures and facial expressions to go with the lyrics. In 1953, he joined the Sir John's Trio, which played the popular Cosmopolitan Club in St. Louis.

His break came when he traveled to Chicago in 1955, and met Muddy Waters, who suggested he contact Leonard Chess of Chess Records. By the end of the 50's, Chuck was an established star with several hit records and film appearances to his name, as well as a lucrative touring career. He had also established his own St. Louis-based nightclub, called Berry's Club Bandstand.

By the 70's he was more in demand as a nostalgic live performer, playing his past hits with local backup bands of variable quality and now in his 80's, Berry continues to play live.

Influences: T-Bone Walker, Carl Hogan, Nat "King" Cole and Muddy Waters

Axology: Gibson ES-350T, Gibson ES-355 and Fender Dual Showman

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y3-NSalpKI

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=AEq62iQo0eU&feature=related