Charles Edward "Chuck" Berry
b. October 18, 1926
St. Louis, Missouri

Chuck Berry was on October 18th of 1926. He is one of the pioneers of Rock and Roll; in fact, John Lennon once said "If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry'."

 In 1944, at the age of 18, he was arrested and convicted of armed robbery. Four Years later he was released and married. Berry worked in auto plants and as a janitor. He also started playing guitar for various bands in St. Louis as an extra source of income.

Berry was among the 1st to try to attract both Black and White audiences. He stressed his diction to sound friendlier to the Whites and incorporated some country music. To hold the blacks he played Muddy Waters songs and began to have a wilder on stage persona.

In 1955 Berry re-worked an old country and western song called “Ida Red”. His version, now known as Maybellene, sold a million copies and went to #1.

Berry’s influence on the guitar industry can not be quantified. He is a direct influence on John Lennon, Keith Richards, Angus Young, Joe Perry and Jerry Garcia to name a few.

Berry had 14 top 40 hits. He also sold millions of albums, changed the direction of electric guitar and set the standard for on stage performance. In 1984 he was awarded the Grammy Life Time Achievement Award, and both Rolling Stone and Time Magazines have him rated among the top guitarists of All-Time.

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