Chuck Berry, equipped with ubiquitous guitar licks, boundless charisma, self-confidence, and catchy songs, helped pioneer rock and roll. Though Elvis Presley became the King of Rock and Roll, Berry was akin to Steve Jobs, transforming culture with an instinct for what people wanted before they knew it themselves. Without these four Berry songs, it’s hard to imagine rock music being the same.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Johnny B. Goode”
Few songs in history have had more impact on pop music than “Johnny B. Goode”. It’s an early rags-to-riches story that’s been covered by rock, punk, country, and heavy metal artists. NASA included Chuck Berry’s song on the Voyager Golden Record as a time capsule detailing life and culture on Earth, aimed at potential intelligent life in deep space. I’d like to imagine another galaxy where rock music sends alien parents into a state of panic because Berry also ignites extraterrestrial iterations of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Sex Pistols.
“Sweet Little Sixteen”
Brian Wilson put surf lyrics to “Sweet Little Sixteen” to write “Surfin’ U.S.A.”, creating a kind of promo clip for California. The Beach Boys transported idyllic beach life to the rest of the country, but Wilson’s Californication rode atop the timeless melody of a St. Louis musician. It sent Wilson on a creative journey that eventually led to Pet Sounds. This caused a creative rivalry, with The Beach Boys and The Beatles aiming to outdo one another. Both groups catapulted rock and roll into its future with groundbreaking studio albums: From Rubber Soul to Pet Sounds to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and beyond.
“Roll Over Beethoven”
The Beatles frequently covered Chuck Berry during their early years. And George Harrison led the band on its version of “Roll Over Beethoven”, appearing on With The Beatles in 1963. Though John Lennon usually sang the Chuck Berry tunes, Harrison had already been performing the song in clubs. When Berry first released “Roll Over Beethoven” in 1956, he couldn’t have known his music would change the world. Berry’s impact on music history rivals the giant classical composer he told to step aside.
“Maybellene”
Like most things, rock and roll evolved using existing parts of what came before it. Berry recycled bits of “Ida Red” by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys and unwittingly started a musical revolution with “Maybellene”. But it didn’t resemble anything like Western swing. Instead, Berry’s band featured a loud guitar amplifier. Thus, you might think of Berry’s first single as the Big Bang of rock and roll. Or at least rock and roll guitar. He cranked the volume on his amp and, with it, mixed the older forms of country, blues, and jazz, and made a new language with them.
Photo by Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.