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		everything you need to know about
		Chuck Berry Witty lyricist with diction as clear as a bell, whose renowned bad behaviour with his trademark quick lick blues sound inspired many artists. He bridged the gap between blues and pop, bringing black and white audiences together.
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		No Particular Place to Go from Best of Chuck Berry Vol. 3 Vogue, 670102 My Ding-a-ling (live) from Rock And Roll Music Instant Records,CD INS5002		Born: 1926

When I played hillbilly songs, I stressed my diction so that it was harder and whiter. All in all it was my intention to hold both the black and the white clientele by voicing the different kinds of songs in their customary tongues.

Chuck speaks about reaching a mixed audience, from his autobiography

within bbc.co.uk music:

Rock and Pop Years-1958

Chuck Berry biography

Chuck Berry discography

Classic Rock and Pop news, reviews and listings

Profiles A-Z listing

elsewhere on bbc.co.uk:

Sold On Song - Johnny B Goode

elsewhere on the web:

Official Site

The definitive source for all things Chuck

Who really wrote that song?

Details on law suit between Johnnie Johnson and Berry.

Read about the crimes of Chuck

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.

CHUCK BERRY IN ONE MINUTE

As a teenager, his main interests were girls and photography; happily sometimes the two would coincide.
Was arrested for having cameras in the female toilets of his Southern Air restaurant.
Spent three years of his youth in Algoa Reformatory for armed robbery, then 120 days in prison camp for tax evasion.
Singalongs of "My Ding-a-ling" were popular with fellow prisoners' children during visiting hours.
Received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award in 1984.
"Johnny B Goode" has been covered by almost 400 artists.
He will only perform an encore after negotiation for extra payment.

related by time:

Marvin Gaye profile

Nat King Cole profile

related by location:

Johnnie Johnson biography

related by genre:

Rolling Stones profile

Beatles profile

A Quick Guide to Classic Rock and Pop

A Quick Guide to Blues

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Chuck Berry

GOOD RECORDINGS

A GOOD READ AND A GOOD FILM

Chuck Berry's Golden Hits
(1967,Polygram)
All the best and more.

One Dozen Berrys
(1959, Beat Goes On)
His first album, includes some ballads.

album title

St. Louis to Liverpool
(1964, MCA)
Upbeat and sunny.

Chuck Berry: the Autobiography
(1987, Isalee)
Anecdotal and revealing romp through the life of Chuck

Hail Hail Rock 'n' Roll

Chuck Berry-Hail! Hail! Rock'n'Roll! (Film)
(1989, Universal)
Rockumentary of Keith Richards coming to St. Louis and performing with his idol.

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