Chuck Berry

Born: October 18, 1926 St. Louis, MO, USA

Chuck Berry began his musical career at an early age, learning to play guitar on a 4-string tenor guitar. As soon as he could, though, he changed to a 6-string electric guitar. In 1952, Berry began playing engagements in clubs around St. Louis. Around this time was when he began playing with the Sir John's Trio, which was one of the first unofficial rock and roll bands. After being told to look up Leonard Chess and Chess Recording Studios by Muddy Waters, Berry recorded "Ida Red" with Willie Dixon and Jasper Thomas. Ida went to #1 on the R&B charts, as well as #5 on the pop charts. Berry had many top ten hits throughout the 50's, largely because his appeal crossed over to the white teen audience. Never pictured on the album covers, Berry was thought to be white. It wasn't until the release of Rock, Rock, Rock and Mr. Rock and Roll that many of Berry's audience became familiar with his appearance, and by this time, they didn't care. Berry's audience is still widespread, and he remains unparalleled as an influence on modern rock and roll. Many of today's guitarists learned to play music to Chuck Berry tunes. Berry still occasionally performs.

Instruments Played / Skills: Guitar Vocals Songwriter Genres: Early Rock American Standard Rock

Chuck Berry Has Worked With: Bo Diddley Bobby Parker

Chuck Berry Was Influenced By: Charlie Christian Carl Hogan T. Bone Walker Muddy Waters Hank Williams Sr.

Artists That Were Influenced By Chuck Berry: Pepper Adams John Beland Rockie Charles Popa Chubby Eddy Clearwater Rust Epique Jimi Hendrix Luther Johnson Jerry McCain Eddie Money Johnny B. Moore Ted Nugent Buck Owens Elvis Presley Keith Richards Kid Rock Chris Smither George Thorogood Robert "Bilbo" Walker "Boogio" Bill Webb Angus Young