Chuck Berry's music is in my blood. As a baby, my play pen was by the speakers to the stereo where my Dad would play Chuck and Little Richard and assorted other awesome bands from when Rock n Roll was Rock n Roll! In middle school, I managed to weave a biography of Chuck into a project for history class. Chuck Berry stamped Rock n Roll forever. Elvis may have been called the King (and Little Richard the Queen) but Chuck Berry was the MAN!
As much as I love punk rock and it's 'you can do it, just try' attitude, Chuck Berry has the advantage over all of them. The early days of rock are often considered to be filled with 'simple' songs but listen to Chuck not just play his guitar but have the skills involved to RIP IT UP!
The thing that gets me about Chuck is that he's clearly skilled but doesn't seem to be showing off when he's playing. He may go into some wild unexpected version of the riff you know but he doesn't seem to be trying to impress you. He's having fun. He's having a great time and he's trying to share it with you. I love that.
And his verbiage! His confidence to create words as a poet might. 'Motorvating' and 'botheration'... I use botheration all the time. I love that word.
Is Chuck Berry crazy? Probably. He has every right to be. He was mistreated as a black performer during a still segregated county. He spent time in jail at the peak of his career on what may or may not have been a trumped up charge in an effort to 'kill off' Rock n Roll. He certainly seems to have some... interesting ideas about life and ladies.
But man o man does he have a good time.
26 July 2010
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