Not just anybody can get Little Richard to play at their birthday party. When you're Chuck Berry, though, and you're turning 75, it only seems fitting that you be attended by another rock and roll royal. Both artists will play at a celebration on October 18 — Berry's birthday — at the Pageant nightclub in St. Louis. Berry, one of the founding fathers of rock and roll, rarely tours anymore, though he plays monthly at his Blueberry Hill club and restaurant in St. Louis.
More guests will likely be added to the lineup, according to the event's publicist. Missouri governor Bob Holden and St. Louis mayor Francis Slay will be on hand to honor Berry. Born in San Jose, California, Berry had become a top St. Louis-area attraction by 1955, when he met blues great Muddy Waters, who introduced him to record executive Leonard Chess. Later that year, Berry had his first top 10 hit with "Maybellene," a supercharged reworking of the country swing classic "Ida Red." Berry's witty lyrics and distinctive guitar licks landed him chart hits throughout the '50s, including "Johnny B. Goode," "Sweet Little Sixteen" and "Roll Over Beethoven," and his music was a principal influence on the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys and Bruce Springsteen, among many others. |
