Today C&B Southern Soul Blues Society, it’s time to give a nod to the one and only Chuck Berry, born on October 18, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri. We all know Chuck as a rock ‘n’ roll trailblazer, but there’s more to his story – his blues roots run deep.
Hailing from Charles County, Missouri, Chuck Berry wasn’t just a rock ‘n’ roll icon; he was one of the most influential figures in rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll from the ’50s to the ’70s. Classics like “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “St. Louis Blues,” “House of Blue Lights,” “21 Blues,” and “Blues Feeling” are just a glimpse of his bluesy side. He wasn’t merely a dabbler in blues; he was a bona fide blues man.
But here’s the twist – Chuck’s influence extended even into Southern Soul Blues, where “the stand up in it man” Theodis Ealey found inspiration in this legendary figure. It’s like a blues inception – blues within rock within blues!
Chuck Berry’s influence wasn’t limited to his music; he played a significant role in shaping The Rolling Stones during their early days. And here’s a fascinating tidbit: Elvis was undoubtedly an icon, but did you know the Beatles re-recorded Chuck Berry’s hits? In their early days, they grooved to at least 15 of Berry’s tracks. John Lennon, in particular, appreciated Chuck’s knack for writing social-comment songs at a time when others were singing about, well, not much at all. One can’t help but wonder what Lennon would have to say about some of today’s mindless artists – SMDH!
On a somber note, Chuck Berry left us on March 18, 2017. Emergency workers tried to revive him, but he was ultimately pronounced dead by his personal physician. Despite his physical absence, his legacy continues to echo through the ages. At the time of his passing, Chuck’s estimated net worth was an impressive $10 million, a testament to his incredibly successful and enduring music career spanning generations.
So, “C&B” Fam, let’s virtually raise a glass to Chuck Berry. Happy birthday to a true musical pioneer and blues virtuoso who shook the very foundations of music.