Chuck Berry was one of the reasons I picked up the guitar in the first place. If it wasn’t for him, many of us wouldn’t be doing what we all are doing… playing the guitar and playing rock n’ roll music. If it wasn’t for Chuck Berry then rock n’ roll and metal wouldn’t have happened. This is the man that started it all. Was there any other rock n’ roll guitarists before Chuck? Not that I remember.

The rock n’ roll movement in the 50’s all started because of him. Without Chuck, we wouldn’t have gotten Elvis, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Bill Haley & The Comets, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, U2, Metallica and all other rock n’ roll bands that are out today.

Chuck Berry has played music for most of his life. Before he discovered rock n’ roll, he started off playing blues music, of course, then his guitar playing evolved from there. Berry’s guitar playing style was so unique and different. Something you never heard before. When you watch him play on stage, his fretting hand would go up and down the fretboard a lot. He would play a lot of double stops and perfect fourth riffs, a lot of boogie woogie power chord riffs too.

Chuck Berry was also a showman on the stage. When he plays rock n’ roll on the stage, he knew how to rock hard. His performances were all full of energy. He would not stand in one place on the stage at all, he would move around and dance with his guitar. He wasn’t just a great guitarist and a great singer, he was also a great lyricist too… he wrote songs with a lot of humor and he wrote a lot of positive songs too.

Chuck Berry sure loved what he did musically. He was one of those musicians who loved what he did. Played music until he couldn’t do it anymore. Even during his 80 years of age, he still toured and played music on the stage. He never gave it up. One of those musicians who never believed in retiring.

Before his death, he recorded a brand new album titled “Chuck” which he dedicated the album to his wife. I wonder if he finished the whole thing before he died? He probably did. Is that why he was in a rush to release a new album ’cause he was gonna go soon? Kind of like what David Bowie did? Anyhow, I’m sure the industry will release his new album pretty soon and I’m definitely gonna buy it.

I’ve listened to Chuck’s music for years. I never bought his studio albums but I do have a greatest hits album of his. He’s definitely a huge inspiration in my own music and guitar playing. Thanks, Chuck and RIP. He maybe gone but his music will never be forgotten.

Kev