Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top music outlet, takes a look back at the late singer/guitarist’s contribution to Rock ‘n’ Roll
John Lennon once said “If you tried to give rock ‘n’ roll another
name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry.’” For many, this was how they felt about Berry,
who passed away on Saturday. The legendary singer and guitarist was one of the earliest
and most influential voices in rock ‘n’ roll. And though his career started
back in the 1950s, his influence can still be felt in rock music to this day.
Berry created a sound the world had never heard before. Pulling
from genres as vastly different as country, R&B and blues, it was upbeat
and a bit aggressive for the time. But it was this vitality and youthfulness in
his sound that would get him signed to Chess Records (at the suggestion of
blues great Muddy Waters), and would provide him with the opportunity to
release some of his most popular tunes, including “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Johnny
B. Goode” and “Maybellene,” in the late 1950s. It was this sound that would prove
him to be an arbiter of youth culture. And it was also this sound that would
earn him respect and popularity in a genre that had gained momentum with
predominantly white singers and white audiences.
But it wasn’t just his sound that captivated and inspired
audiences. It was his stage presence too. Inventing what became known as the “duck
walk,” where he would crouch down and hop on one leg while playing guitar, his
performances were the real thrill. Even when his recordings waned in
popularity, his live show continued to astound audiences.
Without Berry’s work, some of the greatest artists of the
last five decades might not have come about. The Rolling Stones united over
blues and rock ‘n’ roll greats like Berry, even recording his track “Come On”
as their debut single. The Beatles also covered his music in their early years,
stating on Twitter that the band recorded a version of “I’m Talking About You”
in 1963.
At 90 years old, Berry’s work was still not done. In
October, the singer announced that he was going to release a new album this
year in celebration of his 90th birthday, his first album in 40
years. Berry’s family is still planning on releasing the album, stating in a
post on Facebook
that “While our hearts are very heavy at this time, we know that Chuck had no
greater wish than to see this album released to the world, and we know of no
better way to celebrate and remember his 90 years of life than through his
music.”
Over this past weekend, rock music proved that Berry’s
legacy would not soon be forgotten. Green Day, Bon Jovi and the Red Hot Chili
Peppers all incorporated “Johnny B. Goode” into their set lists over the weekend
while many others like Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jaggar, Spoon, Ryan Adams, Brian
Wilson, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney took to the internet to pay their
respects. Artist outside of rock also paid tribute, including Questlove, Q-Tip,
Anderson Paak, La Roux, Sky Ferrera and Chuck D, showing that Berry’s legacy
far exceeds the confines of genre.
Even in today’s ever-evolving musical landscape, Chuck Berry’s
legacy and music still remain far-reaching. A pioneer in the genre of rock ‘n’
roll, his sound helped to define youth culture and music for years to come. His
influence didn’t just stop with rock music, but found its way into R&B, hip
hop and pop as well. Now, as his final recordings are being prepared for
release, his new music can continue to inspire artists in the same way his
classics have for decades.
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Celebrate Chuck Berry’s music and legacy at Vinyl Bay 777. Find
music from Berry and the many artists he has influenced at Long Island’s top
new independent record shop. Choose from thousands of titles in a variety of
genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs,
cassettes, DVDs and memorabilia in store and on our website at vinylbay777.com.
From classic rock ‘n’ roll to metal, punk, R&B and pop and more, there’s
always something for everyone at Vinyl Bay 777.
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