Rock & Roll Orphaned As Father Dies
Chuck Berry, widely revered as the architect of rock and roll, died on Saturday, March 18… and so did an essential musical chapter of our lives. Berry, who was 90, had been battling health issues for some time. Starting with his debut hit, 1955’s “Maybellene,” Berry penned a collection of songs that told stories and became vital pieces of the rock canon: “Roll Over, Beethoven,” “Rock & Roll Music,” “Sweet Little Sixteen,” “Carol,” “Nadine,” “No Particular Place To Go,” and what became his signature song, the immortal “Johnny B. Goode” — songs that inspired future generations of rock guitarists. As Keith Richards said when inducting Berry into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, “I’ve stolen every lick he ever played.” Richards, a lifelong fan, was also instrumental in assembling an all-star backup band (including Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Bobby Keys, Johnnie Johnson, Steve Jordan and Chuck Leavell) to play behind Berry in a 60th birthday celebration concert that was captured in Taylor Hackford‘s 1987 documentary, Hail! Hail! Rock ‘n’ Roll, which As Rolling Stone reports, “Even then, Berry intimidated Richards onstage and off and only showed up on the first day of filming after he demanded an extra cash payment of $25,000.” On Saturday, Richards tweeted, “One of my big lights has gone out!”
In a 2003 profile by the New York Times, Berry described the universal appeal of his music, as he stated, “I made records for people who would buy them. No color, no ethnic, no political — I don’t want that, never did.” It was sadly ironic that, despite Berry’s immense body of work and his collection of game-changing rock songs, he scored his first and only No. 1 pop hit with the 1972 novelty hit, “My Ding-a-Ling.”
Upon hearing of Berry’s passing, The Rolling Stones released a statement that read, “The Rolling Stones are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Chuck Berry. He was a true pioneer of rock & roll and a massive influence on us. Chuck was not only a brilliant guitarist, singer and performer, but most importantly, he was a master craftsman as a songwriter. His songs will live forever.” Bruce Springsteen tweeted, “Chuck Berry was rock’s greatest practitioner, guitarist, and the greatest pure rock & roll writer who ever lived. This is a tremendous loss of a giant for the ages,” while Brian Wilson wrote, “I am so sad to hear about Chuck Berry passing – a big inspiration! He will be missed by everyone who loves Rock & Roll. Love & Mercy.” Lenny Kravitz tweeted, “Hail Hail Chuck Berry!!! None of us would have been here without you.”
Despite his death, it is heartening to note that Berry’s musical legacy will live on — as NBC News reports, on his 90th birthday, Berry announced his new first album in 38 years, which is scheduled to be released this year. He dedicated the album to his wife of 68 years, Themetta “Toddy” Berry, whom he is survived by.
