Chuck Berry R.I.P.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39318602

RIP

Was just going on to someone about how weird it was that Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis are all still alive while Michael Jackson, Prince, George Michael & Whitney Houston are dead.

Hope the obits spend as little time as possible on My Ding-a-Ling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIMpaMVefi0

Well damn. Guess the day had to come.

He had just recorded a new album last year, or so I read--

http://chuckberry.com/chuck-new-album-coming-in-2017/

Comprised primarily of new, original songs written, recorded and produced by the
founding rock and roll legend, ‘CHUCK’ is Berry’s first new album in thirty-eight
years. It was recorded in various studios around St. Louis and features Berry’s
longtime hometown backing group – including his children Charles Berry Jr.
(guitar) and Ingrid Berry (harmonica), plus Jimmy Marsala (Berry’s bassist of
forty years), Robert Lohr (piano), and Keith Robinson (drums) – which has
supported him for over two decades on over two hundred residency shows at the
famed Blueberry Hill club. More details about ‘CHUCK’ and other Berry-related
events will be revealed in the coming weeks.

“This record is dedicated to my beloved Toddy,” said Berry, referring to his wife
of 68 years, Themetta Berry. “My darlin’ I’m growing old! I’ve worked on this
record for a long time. Now I can hang up my shoes!”

My friend Rachel did the cover art for it ^. She didn't get to meet him, though. :(

R.I.P. Chuck

(xposts) Jerry Lee Lewis is younger than I thought--he's barely older than Bill Withers or Roberta Flack.

http://www.ihopeidiebeforeigetold.com/oldest-living-rock-stars.php

Among the founders, I'd add Fats Domino to Lewis and Little Richard on the list of those still alive; the Everlys didn't have their first hit until '57, but they were so important I'd also include Don Everly.

"When I put my foot down, start. When I put it down again, stop." -- Chuck Berry's only instructions to his many pick-up bands

Rest In Power.

Vera Lynn, Doris Day and Dick Van Dyke are rock stars now?

I'm guilty of only really knowing the hits, but I've always loved this one in particular:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoDPPgWbfXY

(xpost) It says rock/pop--Dick Van Dyke has the Bye Bye Birdie connection, I guess.

RIP Chuck, you ornery genius

Posted this clip on FB, from Hail Hail. One of my faves.

https://vimeo.com/18623223

xps I had no idea Roberta Flack was on the older end of the spectrum. She's a year older than Wanda Jackson, who I've thought was close to 100 for the past two decades.

Changing the entire history of music and then dying at the age of 90 is pretty much a 10/10 life regardless of whatever else went down.

Dylan always has interesting things to say about the early guys, so I went looking for a quote--think I remember the piece this is taken from getting some attention a while back.

“I was still an aspiring rock n roller. The descendant, if you will, of the first generation of guys who played rock ’n’ roll -- who were thrown down. Buddy Holly, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee Lewis. They played this type of music that was black and white. Extremely incendiary. Your clothes could catch fire. When I first heard Chuck Berry, I didn’t consider that he was black. I thought he was a hillbilly. Little did I know, he was a great poet, too. And there must have been some elitist power that had to get rid of all these guys, to strike down rock ’n’ roll for what it was and what it represented --not least of all being a black-and-white thing.”

"Your clothes could catch fire"--that's great.

The real king of rock'n'roll. The best of his stuff is still so much fun.

Hail, hail Chuck Berry. RIP.

"I'm guilty of only really knowing the hits, but I've always loved this one in particular"

good choice pal, no experts required here!

Mum and Dad had a rock & roll compilation double album that I was obsessed with as a kid. This track, Reelin & Rockin, was the first Chuck Berry song I heard & I love it to this day

https://youtu.be/_iyAFr8bFTM

Changing the entire history of music and then dying at the age of 90 is pretty much a 10/10 life regardless of whatever else went down.

― Matt DC, Saturday, March 18, 2017 10:56 PM (thirty-three minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Yup! RIP Chuck.

killer tune that VG!

Oh, man. This is a sock in the gut to me. I mean he held out forever and it's not a surprise as such but y'know I always held out the vague idea that I'd someday be on a road trip and go see him play at the little venue where he'd been doing regular gigs for the last however many years...

My dad raised us on Chuck, without saying too much about it. It was something passed down that still felt totally fresh. The timing, the hooks... his music is so fundamental to rock and roll but also to what I look for in rock and roll. His momentum, his wit, his lyrical invention and eye for detail... just an absolute creative titan on record. There's enough of me gushing on the Great Twenty-Eight thread but man.... a twentieth century without Chuck Berry looks really, really different. RIP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFo8-JqzSCM
posting this one sadly:(

Mr. Berry was i[rock 'n'roll's] master theorist and conceptual genius, the songwriter who understood what the kids wanted before they did themselves

The New York Times

"Elvis just knows what you need, but I know what you want."

This is also rather good

https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2017/mar/18/chuck-berry-the-rocknroller-who-wrote-the-soundtrack-for-teen-rebellion

Blasting the Great 28 atm

all killer, no filler

what joy, this music

^ Same. high five

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ComyNCcYPvg

ilx twist party right now imo

beers are in the back

Chuck wrote so many frequently-covered classics that I'd guess it would be entirely possible to hear many of the classic songs he wrote without ever having to hear the originals... although I strongly recommend that people do.

RIP. A huge loss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg2EbJy-9dc

The guitar in this will never stop sounding fresh to me. RIP.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RAfxiyMKAk

RIP -- an American genius

The two-cd Anthology/Gold is great too--The Great 28 + 22 more essentials ("The Promised Land", "Tulane", "You Never Can Tell", "Jaguar and Thunderbird", "JoJo Gunne"...I could go on)

Thanks Chuck

You can buy this new on CD for as little as $4 online.

http://lossless-galaxy.ru/uploads/posts/2010-11/1290535238_st.-louis-to-liverpool.jpg

Shit, better put some Chuck on the playlist for this party i'm dj'ing tonight now. RIP all-time great.

I'd love to read a feminist appreciation taking into account the reported aberrant sexual conduct.

Chuck wrote so many frequently-covered classics that I'd guess it would be entirely possible to hear many of the classic songs he wrote without ever having to hear the originals... although I strongly recommend that people do.

The thing is, I can only think of one cover of a Chuck Berry song that comes even close to the vitality and awesomeness of the originals, and it's Elvis's version of "Promised Land." Everything else just makes me think, why am I not listening to Chuck Berry right now?

Worth Wild Li'l Tree‏Verified account @karengeier

being a sexual predator plus being good at your job does not make you “complex.” consider the message you’re sending to victims with this

I would never want to talk about art with that person.

just heard the news. RIP Chuck Berry.

tbh "taking into account his aberrant sexual behaviour" is something women do with 90% of rock n roll music as it is, chuck doesnt get special dispensation for it

it isnt exactly a walk in the park being a fan of elvis or jerry lee lewis or the stones or zeppelin or really anyone when you get down to it

The thing is, I can only think of one cover of a Chuck Berry song that comes even close to the vitality and awesomeness of the originals, and it's Elvis's version of "Promised Land." Everything else just makes me think, why am I not listening to Chuck Berry right now?

Same song, even better version;

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gG8rG9RhnhY

being a sexual predator plus being good at your job does not make you “complex.” consider the message you’re sending to victims with this
― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, March 18, 2017

You seemed to be more forgiving of Michael Jackson seven years ago.

The songs only hint at what a deeply mysterious man he was; his imagination couldn't keep apace with his demons and passions. I know the newssmen are themselves getting their wits togeher, but I wish they wouldn't talk about him in such abstract terms. He was, with Prince, the most brilliant popular musician of his generation -- why isn't his songwriting and production ever discussed as often as his dancing and celebrity goofiness?
― My name is Kenny! (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, June 25, 2009 7:17 PM

would've been cool if we could've waited more than, like, a few hours before derailing into "problematic chuck" talk

I had to check my copy twice but how is it that Great Twenty-Eight doesn't have "Promised Land"?

being a sexual predator plus being good at your job does not make you “complex.” consider the message you’re sending to victims with this
― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, March 18, 2017

You seemed to be more forgiving of Michael Jackson seven years ago.

The songs only hint at what a deeply mysterious man he was; his imagination couldn't keep apace with his demons and passions. I know the newssmen are themselves getting their wits togeher, but I wish they wouldn't talk about him in such abstract terms. He was, with Prince, the most brilliant popular musician of his generation -- why isn't his songwriting and production ever discussed as often as his dancing and celebrity goofiness?
― My name is Kenny! (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, June 25, 2009 7:17 PM

― clemenza,

oh I've changed since 2009 and have got a paper trail, thanks to more contact with college students. And I'm not sure what you're suggesting? I've nowhere indicated blanket dismissals.

ah, ok. this one was mine:

https://www.wolfgangs.com/chuck-berry/posters/poster/FEL861018.html

I'd seen this before somewhere--the reviews are funny. (Can't read them if I reduce the size.)

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gxlkC63prUQ/UICCLhE2p7I/AAAAAAAAKto/EDdI6kVIu_Q/s1600/sept80-10-11.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IErA3Ag4w-Q/UICCUYSPgnI/AAAAAAAAKtw/AM2NHuvcVPk/s1600/sept80-12-13.jpg

<3 the reviews, I can imagine that making the Ramones' day.

Thirty-six takes on Maybellene?! Is he for real? Jesus. I always figured they just came in, set up, played it once. It's such a fresh, barrelling performance, just crackling and young and vibrant and bold.

That could've included false starts, breakdowns, and general workings-on of the song, though. And, as with "Like A Rolling Stone," which took 20 takes but the 4th was used as the master, it might not have been the 36th take that was released.

Looks like the Joy Division track was mistitled. I wonder which one he was listening to.

Those reviews are hard to read, I should have just posted a link:

http://dangerousminds.net/comments/chuck_berry_reviews_sex_pistols_talking_heads_clash_and_many_more_1980

The comparison of Wire to Muddy Waters is fascinating, the kind of intuitive musician's connection I'd never pick up on. At the other end of the spectrum, I'm not sure if his comment about Lydon's anger is genuine or him just slyly feigning befuddlement--I suspect the latter, with a healthy dose of "Did I tell you about 1955?" mixed in.

I read something by Marcus or Christgau that the rationale for choosing More as the best available compilation was that it was all the best stuff from Golden Decade + "Come On." (But it still misses "Promised Land.")

I was attending an open mic night tonight where one guy got up and sang a Berry song. After he finished and everyone clapped, the organiser guy shouted "yeah lets all applaud a paedophile."

To which mass confusion ensued where the bloke singing thought he was talking about him. lol

lmao fuck

yeah the fake stereo on Golden Decade is not good. a lot of songs definitely sound wimpier than i remember them being.

I was a little worried his new album would be shelved or left unfinished, but Rolling Stone reports details about the release will be out later this week.

Johnny B. Goode/His Complete '50s Chess Recordings is so great and in mono

that version of Promised Land tipsy posted is awesome as hell

yes. i want so much more of that.

looks like this is the full 1972 show that included that Promised Land:

https://youtu.be/YtrOr3WKmyY?list=PL61vsQuhgyGcv8Pbh3KBG5y5USNRTazDR

remember this being solid ('73) -- also Bo, Little Richard, BB, Chubby et al

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4sgNIeS89I

American History, Practical Math

Don't want your botheration

You just started back doin the things you used to do

Seven hundred little records, all rock, rhythm and jazz

tell tchaikovsky the news

Arrested on charges of unemployment

Take it to the FBI as a personal grudge

Sincerely, your beloved son,
Henry Junior Ford

Noneedformecomplaininmyobjectionsoverruledahhhhhhhh

don't know if this has been posted yet? but if there's a video of someone else enjoying themselves as much as chuck is here i'd love to see it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qK5N2LavUZQ

HI DERE

Pay phone
somethin' wrong
dime gone
will mail
I ought to sue the operator for tellin' me a tale

Ah

2-3 count with nobody on, he hit a high fly into the stands

i was walking down the street thinking about the "pay phone" stanza yesterday and it was just blowing my mind over and over how good it was.

Yup. So much imagery with so few words.

Ann Powers on CB and women

http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/03/21/520146232/bittersweet-little-rock-and-roller

nice

damn, great clip Tracer thx

xxp

maybe i saw the same show as morbs in '86? he was playing with john entwistle, half of rockpile, chuck leavell, and treated them just like any other backup band with zero rehearsal. brilliant, regardless. miss u chuck.

This one is currently up on dimead0zen.

That Powers article is great.

How have I never heard "Tulane" before?

can we talk about the 18 min + track "concerto in b goode" from 1969 album of same name? this thing just kills, almost kraut-y at times. it's like the track was designed to give chuck a platform to experiment with different fx pedals over one chord for an entire lp side. (it also somewhat redeems the mercury years.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAnKqdlPWDo

Wow, this is pretty interesting!

yeahhh, hadn't heard that before this week. pretty sweet -- definitely could pass for a VU outtake jam at points.

and some of that echo-y guitar action isn't too far off from sandy bull's awesome cover of "memphis" too

haha yeah i can imagine chuck hearing "hallo gallo" by neu and being like 'oh yeah we used to do that in practice' haha

Dave Edmunds remembers that '87 NYC show on FB

Me & Chuck

Sometimes you have great gigs, and sometimes you don't. This gig was in St Louis, Missouri, and it was the best of the tour. Great audience, great monitor sound, great band (with the renowned Jamie Oldaker on drums). The kind of gig that whatever you do, whatever you sing, whatever you say, and whatever you play – is right! We did three encores, came off sweating and settled into after-gig drinks in the dressing room. We were towelling off and congratulating ourselves when Steve, my tour manager, burst breathlessly into the room spluttering something about Chuck Berry. “Calm down, Steve!...What's up?”

“Chuck Berry is in the audience sitting with two girls – he's seen the whole show and he wants to get up and do a few songs with you!” Whoa! This is no time for practical jokes. “What did you say?” “Chuck Berry is in the audience sitting with two girls – he's seen the whole show and he wants to get up and do a few songs with you!” I explained to Steve that if he was pissing around and we went back out on stage (the audience was still chanting for more), we have no more songs to do and it could get embarrassing. He swore on everything dear to him that Chuck Berry was ready to climb onstage if we would just go back out. He grabbed my spare (black) Gibson 335 and pushed us back out onstage and, sure enough, Chuck clambered up, strapped on my spare, and went into Roll Over Beethoven, moving on through Memphis, Tennessee, and more.

I wondered if he remembered me from his sixtieth birthday gig in the Felt Forum, Madison Square Gardens, NY, in 1987. I don't remember how this came about, but my then manager, John Scher, arranged for me to put a band together for the gig – an opportunity from heaven. I called in my dear friend and colleague, Chuck Leavell (keyboard player with The Rolling Stones), then John Entwistle, (The Who), and Terry Williams (Rockpile/Dire Straits). Came the night, with no rehearsal whatsoever or any prior discussions with Chuck, we gravitated from our hotel bar across the road to the Felt Forum. There was no one backstage to introduce us to Chuck, so we just sort of gathered side-stage and waited. A couple of minutes before showtime, Chuck ambled up to us and sat down with his guitar hanging around his neck. We nervously introduced ourselves to him, but I am convinced he had absolutely no idea who we were. I dared to ask if there would be a set-list. “Nooo, I always start my songs with this guitar riff” (he plays it – as if no one knows, already), “and then I stamp my foot when to end the song.” “Oh, and no drum fills.” And that was it!

I was fifteen years of age when I first heard Johnnie B. Goode on Radio Luxembourg. I was also fifteen when I got my first guitar. I was determined to learn the opening guitar riff and the solo. I also learned the 'knack' of playing Chuck's “raka-rack' rhythm style on the lower strings while singing. Many accomplished guitar players find this uncomfortable or impossible to do without sounding 'stilted'. His songs, his lyrics, his guitar solos, the style and the keys – I've pondered, puzzled, practised and learnt over the years, eventually incorporating them into many of my records.

That night, I don't know if Chuck recognised I was copping his licks, or whether he was just feeling lazy, but he had me play all the guitar solos – to every song. (except My Ding-a-Ling, when we left the stage). At the end of the final song he grabbed my arm and hauled me centre-stage; he held my hand aloft with his and shouted into the microphone to the screaming audience: “Who said the white man can't play the blues?” It was my proudest moment.

- DE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw-TVrR8wZc

According to a public radio DJ friend of mine, the single from the new album was been sent out today.

Ann Powers on CB and women

http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/03/21/520146232/bittersweet-little-rock-and-roller

― Supercreditor (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, March 21, 2017 3:21 PM (yesterday)

that was a fantastic piece, thank you

Here's the single

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Zoh-apWRE&feature=youtu.be

Christgau:

http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/7735698/chuck-berry-rock-n-roll-teenagers-inventor

might wanna listen to this at 9pm ET tonight

https://wfmu.org/2017/03/20/chuck-berry-tribute-thurs-night/

omg

http://images2.onionstatic.com/onion/5657/1/original/700.jpg