With Chuck Berry on the chopping block in the MB Hall of Fame thread, I thought we could focus a little attention on this man who was a huge influence on a lot of the second generation rock bands like the Beatles and the Stones as well being one of the driving forces in shaping early rock n roll. I think the quotes in this paragraph sum him up pretty well (from here):
Quote:
Chuck Berry is an influential figure and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's website, "While no individual can be said to have invented rock and roll, Chuck Berry comes the closest of any single figure to being the one who put all the essential pieces together." Cub Koda wrote, "Of all the early breakthrough rock & roll artists, none is more important to the development of the music than Chuck Berry. He is its greatest songwriter, the main shaper of its instrumental voice, one of its greatest guitarists, and one of its greatest performers." John Lennon was more succinct: "If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry'."
You probably know a lot more of his songs than you think you do because so many people from the Beatles to Buddy Holly to Nina Simone to Waylon Jennings (and hundreds of others) have recorded covers of his music and frequently had hits with their covers. At any rate, if you're unfamiliar with the guy give him a listen. If you think you are familiar, give him a second listen. :)
"Rock and Roll Music"
"Brown Eyed Handsome Man"
"Memphis" (live 1963)
"Maybellene" (live TV performance, not sure of the exact year but it looks like the very early 60s or maybe late 50s)
Great picks Monkey! I think that clip of "Roll Over Beethoven" is from the same performance as the "Maybelline" clip I posted. I had never heard "Festival" before but that was pretty cool. It was interesting to hear him working the wah-wah pedal in that song, definitely a departure from the sound he's known for.
Quote:
Originally Posted by crash_override
(Post 626998)
This is a great idea Janszoon, I was actually considering doing it myself. Cool video posts. I'm definately digging that.
Thanks! :)
crash_override
04-01-2009 04:24 PM
No problem, unfortunatly I have already expended my voting priviledge in support of Mr. Berry's induction into the MB HOF. Therefore, convincing me hasn't done any good.
Antonio
04-01-2009 04:46 PM
noice.
Janszoon
04-03-2009 02:06 PM
Er... why was this thread moved to this forum? Chuck Berry is straight up Rock, not Classic Rock, Prog or Psychedelic. Can we please move him back to the regular Rock forum where he belongs (or maybe general music).
Mojo
04-03-2009 04:23 PM
Which album would you recommend starting with? Or should I start at the beginning? I have a Best Of that I stole from my sisters ex-husband (and he aint gettin it back, har har) and I like it but thats the extent of my knowledge.
jackhammer
04-03-2009 04:28 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Janszoon
(Post 629015)
Er... why was this thread moved to this forum? Chuck Berry is straight up Rock, not Classic Rock, Prog or Psychedelic. Can we please move him back to the regular Rock forum where he belongs (or maybe general music).
General may be better then I moved it as it looked completely out of place amid the crappy nu metal threads. I will move it for you if u prefer mate
Janszoon
04-03-2009 04:30 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by mojopinuk
(Post 629120)
Which album would you recommend starting with? Or should I start at the beginning? I have a Best Of that I stole from my sisters ex-husband (and he aint gettin it back, har har) and I like it but thats the extent of my knowledge.
Unless someone has a better suggestion I'd say a best of collection of his early stuff is a good place to start. His real groundbreaking stuff is from the 50s, back before the era of albums so the earliest albums you'd find by him would mostly be just collections of singles anyway.
