Charles Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. Chuck Berry refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive with songs such as "Roll Over Beethoven" and his famous "Johnny B. Goode".
His big break came when he traveled to Chicago in May 1955 and met Muddy Waters, who suggested he contact Leonard Chess, of Chess Records.
He signed with Chess and the rest is history.
During his lifetime he had many skirmishes with the law and the tax man but his music is still played and revered the world over.
Berry was among the first musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on its opening in 1986; he was cited for having "laid the groundwork for not only a rock and roll sound but a rock and roll stance".
His big break came when he traveled to Chicago in May 1955 and met Muddy Waters, who suggested he contact Leonard Chess, of Chess Records.
He signed with Chess and the rest is history.
During his lifetime he had many skirmishes with the law and the tax man but his music is still played and revered the world over.
Berry was among the first musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on its opening in 1986; he was cited for having "laid the groundwork for not only a rock and roll sound but a rock and roll stance".