Celebrities play tribute to icon
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger wrote: “I am so sad to hear of Chuck Berry’s passing. I want to thank him for all the inspirational music he gave to us. He lit up our teenage years... threw a strange light on the American dream. Chuck you were amazing & your music is engraved inside us forever.” “One of my big lights has gone out!” said Keith Richards. Lenny Kravitz said: “Hail Hail Chuck Berry!!! None of us would have been here without you. Rock on brother!” Ronnie Wood, the Stones’ guitarist, said: “With the passing of Chuck Berry comes the end of an era. He was one of the best and my inspiration, a true character indeed.” Bruce Springsteen spoke of Berry’s unparalleled abilities as a songwriter. “Chuck Berry was rock’s greatest practitioner, guitarist, and the greatest pure rock ‘n’ roll writer who ever lived,” he wrote. Figures from all walks of life remembered rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Chuck Berry on social media after the announcement that he had died on Saturday. Rod Stewart said: “It started with Chuck Berry. The first album I ever bought was Chuck’s Live at the
Tivoli and I was never the same. He was more than a legend, he was a founding father. You can hear his influence in every rock ‘n’ roll band from my generation on.” Brian Wilson, the creative force behind the Beach Boys, also spoke of his grief. “I am so sad to hear about Chuck Berry passing — a big inspiration! He will be missed by everyone who loves Rock ‘n Roll. Love & Mercy.” Ringo Starr quoted Berry’s song Rock
and Roll Music, which the Beatles covered on their album Beatles For Sale: “Just let me hear some of that rock ‘n’ roll music any old way you use it. I am playing I’m talking about you. God bless Chuck Berry Chuck.” The Kinks’ Dave Davies said the guitarist’s death marked the “day music died”. He praised the 90-year-old as “probably the most important musical influence in my life”. Author Stephen King was among the first to react. “Chuck Berry died,” he wrote. “This breaks my heart, but 90 years old ain’t bad for rock and roll. Johnny B. Goode forever.”