Chuck Berry, also known as Charles Edward Anderson Berry, was born on October 18, 1926. American vocalist, guitarist, and composer who helped pioneer rock and roll music. He was labelled the ‘Father of Rock and Roll’ because he refined and developed rhythm and blues into the essential elements that made rock and roll distinct. It was reflected in compositions such as ‘Maybellene,’ ‘Roll Over Beethoven,’ ‘Rock and Roll Music,’ and ‘Johnny B. Goode.’ Berry influenced subsequent rock music by writing songs about adolescence and materialism and establishing a musical style that emphasised guitar solos and spectacle. He deserves special recognition on his birthday today.
Chuck Berry Birthday
Chuck Berry was born on October 18, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri. Henry, a builder and Baptist church deacon, and Martha, a certified public school administrator, are his parents. He received his education at Sumner High School. In 1944, he was apprehended and convicted of armed robbery and vehicle theft at gunpoint in Kansas City. Three years in Algoa’s Intermediate Reformatory for Young Men was his sentence. In 1948, Berry wed a woman whose name was Themetta “Toddy” Suggs. He worked as a factory worker in automobile assembly facilities, a caretaker in an apartment block and as a beautician to support his family. He attended the Poro College of Cosmetology for cosmetology training and performed in numerous venues.
In 1952, Berry collaborated with pianist Johnnie Johnson and percussionist Ebby Harding. Their band ascended to prominence rapidly in St. Louis. In 1955, he encountered the renowned American blues musician Muddy Waters in Chicago, where he was advised to contact Leonard Chess of Chess Records. The Chess Label awarded him a record deal. The first single, ‘Maybellene,’ sold one million copies and topped Billboard’s Rhythm and Blues chart. In 1956, he composed “Roll Over Beethoven,” which peaked at number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100. Between 1957 and 1959, he produced numerous U.S. hit recordings, including ‘School Days,’ ‘Rock and Roll Music,’ ‘Sweet Little Sixteen,’ and ‘Johnny B. Goode.’ In 1964, three of his eight singles reached the top twenty on the Billboard 100. From 1966 to 1969, Berry recorded five albums for the Mercury label, but in 1970 he returned to the Chess label. They released a live rendition of ‘My Ding-a-Ling,’ which became his only number-one single. In the 1970s, he took his Gibson guitar on an extensive tour.
Berry performed at the White House on June 1, 1979, at the behest of President Jimmy Carter. At the time of his European tour in 2008, he was already in his eighties. On his 90th birthday, he announced the publication of his final studio album, “Chuck,” but he passed away before its June 2017 release. Berry died of a heart attack on March 18, 2017 at his residence in Wentzville, Missouri, leaving behind four children and a wife.
Chuck Berry Net Worth, Height
| Name |
Charles Edward Anderson Berry |
| Nick name |
Chuck Berry, Father of Rock and Roll |
| Birth date |
October 18, 1926 |
|
Death date |
March 18, 2017 (age 90) |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
|
Height |
6′ 2″ |
| Net Worth | $ 10 million |
| Social Media |
Chuck Berry Biography: Five SURPRISE FACTS
Berry performed at both Clinton’s inaugurations and the 25th Georgetown reunion at the White House.
Berry had a monthly stand-up gig at a Blueberry Hill restaurant for 18 years, from 1996 to 2014, performing a total of 209 events, with the final one occurring on October 15, 2014.
Due to some unpleasant experiences early in his career, he insisted on receiving his royalties in currency before performing.
Most bands sell t-shirts, CDs, and other merchandise to earn extra cash, but Berry never did.
The only rock and roll composition on the Voyager Record Golden was “Johnny B. Goode” when NASA launched Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 with a golden disc containing music, images, and sounds from Earth.
