BERRY BAD BOY BUT A TRUE GREAT
As the architect of all rock stars, Chuck Berry set the stage for the entire music era that followed. Following his death on Saturday at the age of 90, the Johnny B Goode rocker was a real original. It’s not an exaggeration to say that without Berry, the Beatles, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, or Elvis Presley wouldn’t have existed – certainly not in the manner that garnered them critical and commercial acclaim. Anyone who doubts such a boast need only note John Lennon who said: “If you had to give rock ’n’ roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry,” The American made musical heaven with his guitar on stage and rose hell off it. When it came to sex and drugs and rock ‘n’ roll Berry rang all the bells – and then some. One of his biggest records was his criminal one seeing him convicted of armed robbery, prostitution, tax evasion and voyeurism. The jury is still out on whether God or the devil will claim Chuck but one thing is for sure – his wife of 68 years, Themetta “Toddy” Suggs, should be made a saint for the patience she showed.