Biography of Chuck Berry: from early years to resounding success
They called him "father of rock and roll" for forever changing the idea of the music of that time. Chuck Berry became a reference point for such great stars as The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and even The Beatles. IN 2005 year popular edition Rolling Stone awarded Chuck Berry fifth place out of the fifty greatest performers of all time. March 18, 2017 the legendary singer, composer and guitarist is gone. His path in music was long and thorny. Chuck, real name Charles, left songs that are loved to this day.
It is hard to imagine what would have been in the direction of rock and roll if not for numerous innovations. Chuck Berry in a captain's cap! It is from him that in the future rock musicians will borrow the duck walk and the characteristic playing of the electronic guitar.
Through the thorns to the music
Chuck Berry does not immediately become a musician, although his first performance took place in his school years. At the same time, a dark-skinned lively boy with his friends commit a store robbery, for which the future celebrity receives 10 years of imprisonment. While in prison, he creates a quartet, continuing to improve his guitar playing. Having been released ahead of schedule, Berry married and got a job as a worker at a car factory, and played in clubs in the evenings. St. Louis.
He managed to mix country music in an original way, which was performed by the white population of the country with blues notes, black music. Music fell in love with the local public and to some extent reconciled the two sides.
"Maybellene"
Country experiments caught record company attention "Chess Records" and in May 1955 guitarist records first single "Maybellene", which scatters in a million copies and brings first place in the category rhythm and blues hit the parade america. The history of the song is unique. Leonard Chess, the studio owner, asks Berry to bring in his songs, which Berry didn't have. In the club, he performed other people's compositions. And in a week he wrote four songs, one of which is "Ida mae". This name seemed simple and rustic to Chess, and he immediately renames it to "Maybellene", changing just one letter in the name of the brand of mascara, which fell on the eye Chessa.
"Maybellene" became the starting point for Berry's career. The first success inspired the musician so much that he begins to record songs one after another.
The Price of Popularity
The artist, whose songs are heard on every American radio, is popular among African Americans and whites. But then there are also enemies who tried to bring down the arrogance of the ambitious Berry. The scandal that broke out, where he was accused in connection with a minor, cost him 5000$ and imprisonment for three years. Bye Berry was in jail at the studio "Chess Records" his albums continued to be released. Listeners have not forgotten their idol.
Revenge
In the middle 1960's years for songs Chuck Berry make their cover versions of new, yet little-known bands The Kinks, The Animals, The Yardbirds, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones.
The artist himself releases several albums and seven singles, two of which "No Particular Place To Go" and "You Never Can Tell" are ranked US Top 20 Hit Parade Songs.
However, the glory to which the legendary singer was accustomed was no longer there. And that's why he goes on tour. His concerts are held all over the world and gather full halls of fans. To Russia Chuck he comes several times, but refuses to cooperate with Russian musicians.
But there were some memorable things during that period. Comic and light single "My ding-a-ling" unexpectedly and, as observers believed, undeservedly hits the top lines of the hit parade, the melody with a simple motive at the top did not last long, but it managed to be remembered.
In the rebellious life of the star, there will be two more trials, one of which ended in prison. This time the star was convicted of tax evasion, but even then the artist continues his musical activity. Freed, he continues to tour and performs every Wednesday in his hometown, where his career began. Neither age nor health prevented him from leading a rich musical life.
Aged 90 years Berry recording the last album, but the sudden death of the musician prevented its release. In March 2017 rock and roll world orphaned, left without his father. His album under the symbolic title Chuck released by the children of Berry, who rightfully considered him the best dad in the world.
Interesting
- Chuck Berry taught himself how to play the guitar 15 years.
- duck walk, which became the hallmark of the artist and adopted by many rock musicians, remained from childhood. Being small, on bent legs, he imperceptibly slipped on the table.
- Before world fame, he was a carpenter and mastered the profession of a hairdresser.
- On the Berry Walk of Fame there is a star.
- Song "Johnny B. Goode" about a guy from the village is recorded on gilded discs that store the creations of the cultural heritage of the Earth. IN 1977 ship Voyager with discs on board was launched into space. This song will be called the best, performed on the guitar.
- At Berry he didn’t have his own group, he hired musicians right in the city where the concerts were held.
- Money up front. The artist always took an advance payment in 1000$ in advance, the second thousand after the end. The fee has always remained stable, regardless of the number of visitors.
- He could cut off the song in the middle if the concert time, agreed earlier, ended.
- In St. Louis eat a park, which the artist named in his honor - "Berry Park" and club Blueberry Hillin which he played on Wednesdays.
- The captain's cap has become a recognizable part of Berry's wardrobe.
- The artist's discography includes 20 albums.
