Chuck Berry

Career

Career

In 1952In 1952, Barry joined pianist Johnnie Johnson and drummer Ebby Harding. Soon, their band became the best in St. Louis.

In 1955,In 1955, he met Muddy Waters—a popular American blues musician —in Chicago, who advised him to contact Leonard Chess of Chess Records. Berry was signed by the Chess Label. The first recording “Maybellene” sold a million copies and reached number one on the 'Billboard's Rhythm and Blues' chart.

His 1956 song “Roll Over Beethoven”“Roll Over Beethoven” reached #29 on the Billboard Top 100 chart.

In 1964In 1964, he released eight singles. Three out of these went to the top20 of the Billboard 100. Between 1966 and 1969, he released five albums on the 'Mercury' label.

In 1975In 1975, came out his album 'Chuck Berry' and in 1979, he came out with his last album 'Rock It'.

Career

In 1952, Barry joined pianist Johnnie Johnson and drummer Ebby Harding. Soon, their band became the best in St. Louis.

In 1955, he met Muddy Waters—a popular American blues musician —in Chicago, who advised him to contact Leonard Chess of Chess Records. Berry was signed by the Chess Label. The first recording “Maybellene” sold a million copies and reached number one on the 'Billboard's Rhythm and Blues' chart.

His 1956 song “Roll Over Beethoven” reached #29 on the Billboard Top 100 chart.

From 1957 to 1959, he gave several US hits including “School Days”, ‘Rock and Roll Music”, “Sweet Little Sixteen” and ‘Johnny B. Goode”.

In 1964, he released eight singles. Three out of these went to the top20 of the Billboard 100. Between 1966 and 1969, he released five albums on the 'Mercury' label.

He came back to working with Chess in 1970. They released the live recording of “My Ding-a-Ling”, which went onto become his only #1 single.

In 1975, came out his album 'Chuck Berry' and in 1979, he came out with his last album 'Rock It'.

During the 1970s he performed extensively on the road with his Gibson guitar. But his performances became out-of-tune, erratic, un-rehearsed and un-coordinated in respect with those of his supporting musicians.

Chuck Berry performed at the White House on June 1, 1979 at the request of the then U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

On his 60th birthday, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Etta James, Julian Lennon, Robert Cray and Linda Ronstadt organized a celebration concert for him. Taylor Hackford made a documentary on it called 'Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll'.