Farewell Chuck Berry

Passed away at 90, would popular music - as we know it – even exist without Chuck Berry? 

By: Ringo Bones 

March 18, 2017 would probably be remembered as the saddest day for Rock n’ Roll as one of the music’s founding fathers passed away aged 90. Born Charles Edward Anderson Berry, is better known to the music world as Chuck Berry was born in October 18, 1926 and became well known back in the 1950s as one of the pioneers of Rock n’ Roll music. Even though he is no longer the “undisputed king of Rock n’ Roll”, Chuck Berry, nevertheless managed to make early African American Blues, R&B and Rock n’ Roll music not only accessible to white European Americans but also to rock music enthusiasts from the rest of the world. Not only that, he also regularly been playing live and touring since the mid 1950s well into his 80s. 

Chuck Berry’s iconic hit Johnny B. Goode was introduced to a new generation of fans during the mid 1980s when accidental time-traveler Marty McFly (played by actor Michael J. Fox) played his own rendition of Johnny B. Goode in the movie Back to the Future. Another version of Johnny B. Goode by the heavy metal band Judas Priest also managed to introduce young 1980s era metal-heads to the musical genius of Chuck Berry. And both versions were probably instrumental in the induction of Chuck Berry into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame back in 1986. Before he passed away, Chuck Berry was currently working on a new album after his previous one was released 35 years ago.