preview

Chuck Berry Research Paper

Decent Essays

017

Redolent of the dreadful 2016, Death has claimed its first victim for 2017 - rock ‘n’ roll pioneer, Chuck Berry, at the age of 90 in St. Charles County, Missouri.

Although Presley is credited as America’s first pop heartthrob and archetypal rock ‘n roll frontman,
Berry was the mastermind architect that laid out the blueprints to the gritty, acerbic sound that would be utilized by various generations of bands and solo acts that were to come.

Born in St Louis, Missouri, to a segregated, middle-class family, Charles Edward Anderson Berry spent most of his formative years soaking up the local gospel, blues, country, and rhythm and blues that made up most of his surrounding environment.
Combining the typical ‘Hank-Williams’ twang of country and the fast-paced 12-bar …show more content…

Upon his release, he settled into married life and spent a brief stint as a factory worker in automobile assembly plants.
Receiving a degree in cosmetology, he moved on to being a beautician 2 years later and jammed with various local acts to supplement his meagre income.

Inspired by Texan guitarist T-Bone Walker, Chuck Berry managed to master the 2-string bend technique that would later be emulated by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and countless other bands.
This hybrid fusion of hillbilly country and edgy rock ‘n’ roll quickly became a hit with white and black audiences alike and would soon reach the ears of established blues guitarist, Muddy Waters, in 1955.

Upon being referred to Chess Records by Waters, Berry, with the guidance of Leonard Chess, recorded his first hit single, Maybelline, which would reach No. 5 on the Billboard Pop chart and No. 1 on the R&B charts. Besides the infectious beat and chugging rhythm, the narrative lyrics encapsulated the trends of raucous adolescents – hot rods, big drums, and the naivety of young

Get Access