Hail, hail, Chuck Berry
As someone who had the privilege of seeing Chuck Berry perform many times over the decades, I amend the traditional rest in peace sentiments to rock in peace! Jerry Rubin Santa Monica
Brilliant commentary on Berry. Listening to “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” when I was in high school, I realized that he must have been referring to an African American, but with my blue eyes and white skin, I embraced the deeper meaning, which to me was the acknowledgment of achievement, talent, self-confidence of someone young, like me. Those attributes transcended race and color, etc., as does all great poetry.
Me, personally, I’ll never forget the night I sat next to Chuck at a Denny’s counter in Dallas in 1967, and he shared his French fries with me. That night, to a goggleeyed white fan, he was kind, talkative and gracious; he even gave me the Chuck Berry eye-roll. And indeed, his handshake was like putting your hand in a large, soft glove.
Thanks again for the great coverage of a wonderful poet and Oh My God! guitarist. Hal Trussell Los Angeles
I’m from Wentzville, Mo., and a big Berry fan. I saw him many, many times in his own Duck Room at Blueberry Hill in St. Louis. He was a big reason I went into music, and your appreciation hit the right spot at the right time. Steve Fite Los Angeles
As cool as Berry’s songs are, musically, they are quite simple, blues-based tunes, especially “Johnny B. Goode,” which is all of three chords. Larry Muradian Altadena
I really enjoyed reading your articles about Berry. They were very well written, just like the songs you mentioned and quoted. Truly nice work. Dan McMahon Palmdale