Happy Birthday Chuck Berry

“Rock's so good to me. Rock is my child and my grandfather” - Chuck Berry

(Chuck Berry)

Chuck Berry was born as Charles Berry on October 18th, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He started an interest in music at an early age.

(Berry as a child)

In 1941 he had his 1st performance while in high school. In 1944 he was arrested for armed robbery.

(Berry in 1944)

He was sent to the Intermediate Reformatory for Young Men. In 1947 he was released. In 1948 he married Themetta Suggs. In 1950 he started to work with local bands in clubs in St. Louis. In 1953 he joined the Johnnie Johnson's trio.

(The Johnnie Johnson’s Trio)

In 1955 he moved to Chicago, IL and met Muddy Waters and signed with Chess records. Also in 1955 Berry released the single “Maybellene”. It sold over 1 million records and hit No. 1 on billboard’s magazine R&B charts.

(Berry in 1955)

In 1956 he released “Roll Over Beethoven”. Also in 1956 he appeared in the movie Rock Rock Rock.

(Berry in 1956)

In 1957 he toured the US with the Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly. By 1959 he had many top 10 hits including “School Days”, Rock and Roll Music”, “Sweet Little Sixteen” and “Johnny B. Goode”. In 1959 he appeared in the movie Go, Johnny, Go!.

(Berry in 1959)

In 1960 he was convicted of allegations of sexual intercourse with a 14 year old girl and was sentenced to 5 years in prison. Berry appealed the decision due to the racist attitudes of the jury and judge against him.

(Berry in 1960)

In 1964 he released “No Particular Place to Go”, “You Never Can Tell” and “Nadine”. In 1966 he signed with Mercury records.

(Berry in 1964)

In 1970 he signed back with Chess records. In 1972 he released “My Ding-a-Ling”. In 1979 he signed with Atco records and released the album “Rock It”. Also in 1979 he performed at the White House. He was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to 4 months in prison the same year.

(Berry in 1979)

In 1986 a documentary was made featuring Berry. In 1990 Berry was accused of placing a camera in the bathroom of a restaurant he owned even though he was never proven guilty.

(Berry in 1990)

In 2000 he was sued by a former band member that reportedly co wrote over 50 songs with Berry but was never credited, the case was later dismissed.

(Berry in 2000)

In 2008 Berry toured Europe. In 2011 during a performance he passed out due to exhaustion.

(Berry in 2011)

Today he turns 90 years old and we would all like to say happy birthday Chuck Berry.

Albums by Chuck Berry

• “After School Session” (1957)
• “One Dozen Berrys” (1958)
• “Chuck Berry is on Top” (1959)
• “Rockin’ at the Hops” (1960)
• “New Juke Box Hits” (1961)
• “Two Great Guitars” (1964)
• “St. Louis to Liverpool” (1964)
• “Chuck Berry in London” (1965)
• “Fresh Berry’s” (1965)
• “Chuck Berry in Memphis” (1967)
• “From St. Louie to Frisco” (1968)
• “Concerto in B. Goode” (1969)
• “Back Home” (1970)
• “San Francisco Dues” (1971)
• “The London Chuck Berry Sessions” (1972)
• “Bio” (1973)
• “Chuck Berry” (1975)
• “Rock It” (1979)

Videos of Chuck Berry

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvKDr8AgvK8  “Chuck Berry - Maybellene 1955”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kT3kCVFFLNg  “Roll Over Beethoven - Chuck Berry LIVE”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6d1mZJsZGXg  “Chuck Berry "School Days"”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH8IrcvdiD8  “Rock & Roll Music”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLV4NGpoy_E  “Chuck Berry "Sweet Little Sixteen"”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ROwVrF0Ceg  “Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode (Live 1958)”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpitvLeNjuE  “No Particular Place To Go - Chuck Berry”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK5N2LavUZQ  “Chuck Berry - You Never Can Tell”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm8ktxzaumg  “Chuck Berry - Nadine”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMddte6yD2w  “Chuck Berry Live 1972 ~ My Ding-a-Ling”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ct1Dth2PYQ  “Chuck Berry Interview on The Tonight Show w/ Johnny Carson..1987”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxixIbONuCQ  “chuck berry Johnny B Goode 2014”