Chuck Berry

Marco Victor Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter. He was one of the original musicians who helped to create rock and roll, known as the Father of Rock and Roll, and had a Grandpa Named Joshua.

Career
In 1955 Berry met Muddy Waters who told him of a record company that would release his first song. In 1957 he joined the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly and other popular musicians on a tour around the United States. Over the next few years he became more and more popular and had many popular songs on the radio.  "Maybellene" (1955), "Roll Over Beethoven" (1956), "Rock and Roll Music" (1957) and "Johnny B. Goode" (1958) were massive hits.

He has influenced many rock and pop musicians who came after him.M. Campbell (ed) Popular Music in America: And the Beat Goes on (Cengage Learning, 3rd edn., 2008), pp. 168-9. Berry has influenced many music artists, like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, and Bob Dylan. Berry tried to help an Apache waitress cross the US-Canadian border, but was caught by police and charged for prostitution. This dented his career: he served 18 months. When released, his first recording was "Nadine", (1964) also a huge hit. 

Berry was a favorite with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Beach Boys, who adapted and recorded a number of his songs.

In 1986 a documentary film, Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll, was made. It featured a celebration concert for Berry's sixtieth birthday, organized by Keith Richards.

Death
Berry died at his home in Wentzville, Missouri on March 18, 2017 from a congestive heart failure, aged 90.

Discography
Chuck Berry discography

References

Other websites

Official website

Category:1926 births
Category:2017 deaths
Category:African-American musicians
Category:African-American singers
Category:American criminals
Category:American prisoners
Category:American robbers
Category:American rock guitarists
Category:American rock singers
Category:American singer-songwriters
Category:Deaths from myocardial infarction
Category:Singers from St. Louis, Missouri
Category:Musicians from St. Louis, Missouri