The legendary guitarist, singer, songwriter, and rock and roll pioneer, Chuck Berry passed away on Saturday in Missouri at 90.
Stars from the music industry along with other fields who have been influenced by Berry’s work and sound were quick to pay tribute to Berry via social media. Chuck Berry, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and Kennedy Center honouree, was hailed by many for his enduring legacy. TIME magazine named Berry as one of the 10 Greatest Electric-Guitar Players in 2009.
Bruce Springsteen tweeted via his official account, “Chuck Berry was rock’s greatest practitioner, guitarist, and the greatest pure rock ‘n’ roll writer who ever lived.”
Mick Jagger said in a statement, “I am so sad to hear of Chuck Berry’s passing. I want to thank him for all the inspirational music he gave to us.”
“He lit up our teenage years, and blew life into our dreams of being musicians and performers. His lyrics shone above others and threw a strange light on the American dream. Chuck, you were amazing, and your music is engraved inside us forever,” Jagger added.
Jagger’s bandmate Keith Richards simply wrote, “One of my big lights has gone out.”
John Lennon’s Twitter account which is managed by his estate tweeted out a quote, “If you had to give Rock ‘n’ Roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry.”
In 1970, Lennon described him, “Chuck Berry is one of the all-time great poets, a rock poet you could call him. He was well advanced of his time lyric-wise. In the 50s, when people were virtually singing about nothing, Chuck Berry was writing social-comment songs, with incredible meter to the lyrics. We all owe a lot to him.”
Beatles’ drummer Ringo Starr tweeted, “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.”
Former US President Bill Clinton also joined in to pay tribute releasing a statement, “Hillary and I loved Chuck Berry for as long as we can remember. The man was inseparable from his music — both were utterly original and distinctly American.”
“He made our feet move and our hearts more joyful. And along the way he changed our country and the history of popular music. Chuck played at both my inaugurations and at the White House for my 25th Georgetown reunion, and he never slowed down, which is why his legend grew every time he stepped on stage. His life was a treasure and a triumph, and he’ll never be forgotten. Our hearts go out to his family and his countless friends and fans,” Clinton’s statement reads further.
American writer Stephen King tweeted, “Chuck Berry died. This breaks my heart, but 90 years old ain’t bad for rock and roll. Johnny B Goode forever.”
Stars who also joined in tribute include Slash, Brian Wilson, Bruno Mars, Lenny Kravitz, Carole King, Paul Feig, Keith Urban and others.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
