Chuck Berry

Chuck Berry: Breaking Down Barriers

1926--born in San Jose
- moved to St. Louis with his family at an early age
he became a black C&W singer (!!) & cosmetician
1944-47 (late teens early 20s)—reform school (attempted burglary), then GM assembly line
while working at GM, he formed the Chuck Berry Trio
- heard by famous bluesman Muddy Waters who suggested an audition w/Leonard Chess (Chess Records)
- auditioned w/"Ida Red" (C&W song popularized by Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys)
- Leonard Chess renamed the song, changed the lyrics, and issued as "Maybellene"
- Alan Freed, in exchange for being listed as coauthor, agreed to promote the record
  - not an uncommon arrangement at the time (form of payola)

Maybellene

(#5, 1955; #1 R&B)

lyrics speak to teen society about everyday concerns
- cars, girls, school, rock music, & problems of growing up
Berry became the "King of Rock Anthems," letting teenagers know that it's OK to be a teenager, OK to have your own music, & don't let anybody tell you what music is "good" or "bad"
- e.g., "Roll Over Beethoven," "Johnny B. Goode," "School Days," etc.
  
  ("Maybelline")

Dawson & Propes on "Maybellene"

Berry was the model for rock guitar style as it became the central instrument in rock

Johnny B. Goode (commentary)

(#8, 1958)

Chuck Berry was influential on the development of Rock Music ... listen to this direct influence his music had on the Beach Boys!!

Sweet Little Sixteen

Surfin' USA

1963--hit #3; 1974 (rereleased)--hit #36,
composer credit now given to Chuck Berry!!

School Days

(#3, 1958; #1 R&B)

developed his infamous "duck walk"
1959--arrested for violating the Mann Act
- took a 14 yr old prostitute across several state lines (Texas to St. Louis) to work in his club as hatcheck girl; fired her, then she went to the police
- convicted in racially-motivated trial, overturned, then convicted in 2nd trial
- sentenced to 2 years in Federal Prison + fine
- released in 1964
1972—"My Ding-a-Ling" (only #1 song; when Berry was 46 yrs old!)
1979—charged with tax evasion (100-day prison term)
1986—one of the 1^st inductees into the R&R Hall of Fame
1988—paid $250 to settle a $5 million dollar lawsuit from a woman whom Berry allegedly "punched in the mouth"
1990—police raided home & found 62 grams of marijuana along with video tapes of women (including a minor) taken in the restrooms in his club!!