Chuck Berry will be 90 next week.

Many, many yeas back, I saw Chuck Berry play in a friend's backyard for his birthday party.  My friend told me that Chuck had two young local guys he used as a rhythm section for private shows in the NYC metro area.  They got paid by the hour.  Chuck got a nice payday - also in cash, also paid up front.  Chuck didn't really play a show, he ran a business.

Dealership soon folded>

Chuck put on a great show I attended about 36 years ago in Delta,BC for a new car dealership.It was well known that the show wouldn't start before he was paid--in cash. Wise man.

Chuck and Johnnie played clubs and bars together for a while before all those classic Chuck Berry songs were recorded. There are those who believe some of Chuck's songs actually originated with Johnnie, as they were written in "horn keys", not the keys songs written on guitar are in. Those keys ARE ones songs written on piano are done in, however. Don't blame the messenger!

I was listening to Johnnie Johnson's "Johnnie B Bad" this weekend. He was Chuck's keyboard player for many years and supposedly co-wrote "Roll Over Beethoven" and several other classics with Berry. Chuck wrote "Johnny B Goode" in his honor. This solo album is good fun with Keith Richards and Eric Clapton playing guitar in his band.

Oops, forgot Little Richard is also still above ground. The movie Keith Richards did on Chuck (Hail, Hail Rock 'n' Roll) is a must see. To hear Chuck's style perfected (he can be credited with creating it, but is not it's best practitioner!), give a listen to Dave Edmunds.

 Chuck is the real "King of Rock & Roll." (not the other guy).

Wanted to post something on someone who deserves accolades before rather than after they are gone.

Martykl however old you are congrats on that also. 🎂

You had to post this?  That means I'm.....

Never mind

As far as I'm concerned, Chuck invented rock n roll guitar

Chuck is the king.  I've been pondering writing my first fan letter ever to him, thanking him for what he's done.  He's the only 50's rocker I'd consider for a musical Mt. Rushmore. 

And Jerry Lee Lewis, last of the 50's Rock 'n' Roll men left standing.