Chuck Berry the legendary guitarist from St. Louis Missouri has died of natural causes at the age of 90. He passed away on Saturday leaving behind a legacy that few will ever forget. With smash hits like Johnnie B. Goode and Roll over Beethoven its impossible to deny the impact that he had on music.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1926, Chuck lived a very good life for an African American in the late 1920s. His mother was a public school principal and his fathers was a contractor and deacon. With his parents having two incomes it allowed for he and his 5 other brothers and sister to have an excellent childhood. He had his first music performance in 1941 while still a student in high school. 3 years later he was convicted for armed robbery and was sent to the Intermediate Reformatory for Young Men at Algoa near Jefferson City, Missouri. While imprisoned he formed a singing quartet and practiced boxing, he was later released in 1947.
In 1948 he married Themetta “Toddy” Suggs, who gave birth to their first son, Darlin Berry in 1950. He supported his family by working various jobs including working in two different automobile factories. He eventually started filling in as a guitarist for various bands until he joined the Johnny Johnson’s Trio in 1953. After much success with the Trio Chuck traveled to Chicago where he met Blues legend Muddy Waters, who suggested he get in contact with Leonard Chess of Chess Records. After getting signed by Chess he recorded his first hit Maybellene. He continued to tour until the day he died and even announced a new studio album would be released this year. The world will never forget the legendary guitarist from Missouri and i think it’s only right he be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.