Chuck Berry (Chess Box)
We may not know who wrote the book of love, but the author of the rock & roll dictionary was Charles Edward "Chuck" Berry. You've got a signature guitar riff that other giants (thinkRolling Stones) have based entire careers on. Songs such as "School Day" told teen tales as though they were novels. "Too Much Monkey Business" in whereBob Dylandiscovered poetry and rap music found a contemporary starting point. "Johnny B. Goode," "Sweet Little Sixteen," "Roll Over Beethoven," "Back in the USA"--the titles alone evoke unparalleled rock atmosphere. If this three-CD set contains less unreleased ephemera than the usual box, it's because there are so many essentials to squeeze in. This one's got 'em all, A to Z.--Ben Edmonds