Chuck Berry Dies At Age 90
By Dave Basner
March 18, 2017
Chuck Berry has died age 90. St. Charles County, Missouri police responded to a medical emergency at a home where they found the legendary guitarist unresponsive. They administered lifesaving techniques but sadly were unable to revive him.
The rock pioneer recorded hits like "Johnny B. Goode," "Roll Over Beethoven" and "Maybellene." His work influenced everyone from The Beatles to The Rolling Stones to The Beach Boys and many others. He was rightfully one of the first performers inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
Chuck also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honors and Sweden's prestigious Polar Music Prize.
On his 90th birthday in October, Chuck announced plans to release an album in 2017, his first in 38 years. No word on if it will still hit shelves.
Chuck played music until the end of his life, performing gigs at his hometown club BlueBerry Hill in St. Louis, and also took the stage at festivals across the globe.
He leaves behind his wife of 68 years, Themetta Berry and four children.
Many musicians' Twitter accounts now include tributes to Berry:
R I P. And peace and love Chuck Berry Mr. rock 'n' roll music 😎✌️🌟💖🎵🎶☮ pic.twitter.com/hS2S2lUORf
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) March 18, 2017
Just let me hear some of that rock 'n' roll music any old way you use it I am playing I'm talking about you. God bless Chuck Berry Chuck 😎 pic.twitter.com/XmwmaGzGpL
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) March 18, 2017
I am so sad to hear about Chuck Berry passing - a big inspiration! He will be missed by everyone who loves Rock 'n Roll. Love & Mercy
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) March 18, 2017
Heart broken to hear of the passing of Chuck Berry. He was undisputedly the king. A moment of… https://t.co/sR8A2YMnq0
— Slash (@Slash) March 18, 2017
RIP Chuck Berry. Without him Rock n Roll wouldn't be what it came to be. https://t.co/H44LMiaR8f
— Nikki Sixx (@NikkiSixx) March 18, 2017
"If you had to give Rock 'n' Roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry"
— John Lennon (@johnlennon) March 18, 2017
John Lennon (with Chuck Berry)
Mike Douglas TV Show, 1972 pic.twitter.com/ViJtLblEwt
Chuck Berry. Maybe the most important figure in all of rock and roll. His music and his influence will last forever. - Huey
— Huey Lewis (@Huey_Lewis_News) March 18, 2017
Thou Shall Have No Other Rock Gods Before Him #ChuckBerry rip @ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame https://t.co/bU22p2cywb
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) March 18, 2017
Music was changed forever by Chuck Berry’s groundbreaking impact. What a great life in music. pic.twitter.com/lKEpb6xaK7
— LA Reid (@LA_Reid) March 18, 2017
RIP Chuck Berryhttps://t.co/9MoHHXnxD7
— Carole King (@Carole_King) March 18, 2017
RIP Chuck Berry... https://t.co/Wmbg5wXRzz
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) March 18, 2017
R.I.P. To the father of ROCK N ROLL the genius CHUCK BERRY ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾Johnny be good
— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) March 18, 2017
Chuck Berry merged blues & swing into the phenomenon of early rock’n’roll. In music, he cast one of the longest shadows. Thank You Chuck. pic.twitter.com/0TwpdDmw9e
— The Jacksons (@Jacksons) March 18, 2017
R I P Chuck Berry ...
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) March 18, 2017
RIP Chuck Berry. https://t.co/UzJx74c36p
— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) March 18, 2017
You can listen to a Remembering Chuck Berry playlist on iHeartRadio All Access here.
Below is an epic all-star jam from when Chuck was inducted into the Rock Hall featuring John Fogerty, Billy Joel, Jerry Lee Lewis, Keith Richards, Neil Young and Steve Winwood:
And a whole new generation was introduced to Chuck's music in this famous scene from 1985's Back to the Future:
Photo Credit: Getty