Yuri Martianov/Kommersant via Getty ImagesHail, hail, Chuck Berry, who today becomes the first famous rock ‘n’ roller to reach the ripe old age of 90. The St. Louis native has been a national treasure since he duck-walked onto the music scene more than 60 years ago. Among Berry’s many unforgettable tunes are “Johnny B. Goode,” “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Sweet Little Sixteen,” “School Days,” “Rock and Roll Music,” “Back in the U.S.A.” and “Memphis, Tennessee.”
With his catchy melodies, witty lyrics and trademark guitar riffs, Berry has had an immeasurable impact on rock music. He directly influenced the early music of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys and The Kinks, and that’s just for starters. Not surprisingly, Berry was among the first group of performers inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1986.
Among his many other accolades, Berry received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1984, was recognized at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2000 and was presented with Sweden’s prestigious Polar Music Prize in 2014.
Speaking with ABC Radio a few years ago, Berry was asked to name the favorite songs he’s written, but he said he couldn’t choose one.
“Every one of them is tops with me,” he said. “Every one of my children the same way.”
Meanwhile, Beach Boys singer Mike Love spoke with ABC Radio recently about Berry’s “huge influence” on his own band, pointing out his group’s first major hit, 1963’s “Surfin’ U.S.A.” was directly inspired by “Sweet Little Sixteen.”
“I think his way of writing…and the way he syncopated the lyrics to go with the hooks of the track was brilliant,” Love explained. “And I think Paul McCartney and I both agree he’s one of the greatest writers in the history of music. So I wish him Happy Birthday.”
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