Sir Rod: Berry was founding father of rock ’n’ roll
SIR Rod Stewart has led Scotland’s tributes to Chuck Berry, revealing that the first album he ever bought was by the legendary musician.
Berry, who is credited as one of the founders of rock ’n’ roll, died on Saturday night at the age of 90.
He played numerous gigs in Scotland over the years, influencing fellow musicians here and across the world.
Sir Rod 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.”
Simple Minds’ former manager Bruce Findlay also paid tribute to Berry.
He said: “The lyrics, music and riffs that he came up with were incredible.
“When it comes to inspiring bands and musicians, he is number one. His musical legacy is quite remarkable.”
Born in St Louis in October 1926, Berry was known for his energetic stage presence and his signature move – a one-legged hop called a “duck walk”.
His hits included Johnny B Goode, Maybellene, Route 66, You Never Can Tell and Roll Over Beethoven.
A Herald review of his 1994 gig at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall gushed: “Chuck did deft slow blues tunes. Chuck smiled a lot. Chuck was mellow and at ease with himself. Chuck divined no slights upon his person. We perceived no flaw in his standing as rock ’n’ roll deity.”
However, Berry disappointed 2,000 Scottish fans in 2005 when he refused to go on stage at the last moment after a row over transport.
The rocker had wanted to drive himself to the gig, again at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, but organisers said he was not insured to get behind the wheel of the Mercedes they had provided.
Mhairi Cowley, a spokeswoman for gig promoters CPL, said at the time: “He wanted to travel in an S-Class Mercedes, which we were happy to provide, but he wanted to drive himself, which we couldn’t allow because of insurance issues. We sat at the airport for ages until he eventually hired one himself to drive, which we agreed to pay for.
“He did arrive at the venue, but that was to get the money for the hire car.”
Berry is survived by wife Themetta Suggs-Berry, whom he met a year after his release from prison for armed robbery in 1947, and four children.