Chuck Berry, rock and roll icon, dies aged 90

[dutchman]

Police confirm the legendary musician has passed away



Legendary musician and rock 'n' roll pioneer Chuck Berry has died aged 90.

The star passed away today (March 18), a Facebook post by St. Charles County Police Department in Missouri confirms.

"The St. Charles County Police Department sadly confirms the death of Charles Edward Anderson Berry Sr., better known as legendary musician Chuck Berry," the statement said.

"The family requests privacy during this time of bereavement."

Berry pretty much defined rock and roll with hits such as 'Johnny B Goode', 'Maybellene', 'Roll Over Beethoven', 'Memphis', 'My Ding-a-Ling' and 'Sweet Little Sixteen' back in the 1950's.

He became one of the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, and received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 1984.

Berry was born in 1926 as Charles Edward Anderson, and was the fourth of six children. He was raised in St Louis, later marrying Themetta Suggs in 1948 and having four children.

He worked as a factory worker, janitor and cosmetologist to support his family before working the club circuit as a musician.

Forming the Chuck Berry Trio with pianist Johnnie Johnson, his big break later came when he met Muddy Waters in Chicago in 1955, who suggested he meet Leonard Chess of Chess Records.

Berry's song 'Maybellene' was his first hit after selling more than a million copies, and was a big star by the end of the decade, continuing to release hits in the 1960s and performing in 1970s.

The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards once said of Berry (via Billboard): "Chuck Berry always was the epitome of rhythm and blues playing, rock 'n' roll playing.

"It was beautiful and effortless, and his timing was perfection. He is rhythm supreme. He plays that lovely double-string stuff, which I got down a long time ago but I'm still getting the hang of."

[rebbonk]

R.I.P.