Chuck+Berry

As you research your selected guitarist, you will need to note some specific information from his or her life and career. Include the following in your final writing: Details for your written assignment: ,
 * Introduction
 * Biography
 * Discography
 * Legacy
 * Conclusion

Your Name: (first name, last initial):

Write your essay here! : As you enter information, the area will expand. Make sure to check the required details of the assignment and review the rubric (link from home page) to self-assess your work.

Chuck Berry was born on October 18, 1926 in St. Louis. He lived with his father Henry, a carpenter, and his mother Martha. He grew up in a relatively simple household but was far from poor. Berry was interested in music ever since he was a child, spending time working with it even during his very first job. Soon though, he'd become famous for creating music in a genre all his own.

At the young age of 17 years, Berry got his very first job opportunity playing records at USO dances for soldiers. There, he was exposed to all varieties of music he became fascinated with, of course including the country and blues that would later become inspirations for his own music. Just as he was coming closer to the beginning of his real music career though, jail time forced his progress to all but grind to a halt. In 1944, Berry and two friends decided to take a trip to California, but the group ran out of money about halfway there. They then went on a small crime spree in a Kansas town, robbing small stores in an effort to scavenge enough money to fund the rest of their trip. As a result, Berry recieved his prison sentence and was not released until 1947 at the age of 21. After this experience he returned home to work as a carpenter with his father, also working nights as a janitor for a St. Louis radio station as well as playing guitar at nightclubs on Fridays and Saturdays. Later, he met Themmeta Snuggs and the two were married and raising one child by 1950.

Five years later, Berry's musical talent was recognized by Chess Records to which he was then signed. He composed his first big hit, "Maybellene" that year which be came famous partially because of New York disk jockey Alan Freed's giving it a generous amount of airtime. In turn, however, he tricked Berry into listing him as a cowriter of the song. So, in 1956 Berry fired his manager to act as his own, became an independent contractor, and even refused to hire a permanent backup band. He then began working to get full publishing rights to "Maybellene", which wouldn't pay off until 1986. Again implementing his country, blues, and rock and roll style that America seemed to adore, Berry later recorded hits including, "Roll Over Beethoven," "Sweet Little Sixteen," "Reelin' and Rockin'," "Around and Around," and "Beautiful Delilah", earning Berry even more fans.

By 1960, Berry had raised enough money to open the Berry Park Country Club, allowing himself and other new artists to play for local members. That same year, though, he was arrested again for violating the Mann Act and was sentenced to three years in jail along with a $10,000 fine. Luckily, he recieved a shortened sentence due to community service and continued making music after he was released. In 1972 Berry recorded his hit, "My Ding-A-Ling" which sold 1,000,000 copies. His incredible success was cut short though, as in 1973 the National Revenue Service tracked him down for tax evasion, eventually earning him a 120-day prison sentence as well as 1,000 hours of community service. Berry began his service at Lompoc Prison Camp on April 10, 1979, and brought with him writing tablets and two dictionaries, intending to write his autobiography while there.

Although his career was often interrupted by short prison sentences, Chuck Berry managed to be one of the most well-known artists of his genre. His ability to blend together entirely different genres like rock and roll and blues made him famous, as well as his rebellious and fun lyrics. He proved it was possible to go from life in a small middle-class home to life as a superstar, and now acts as an inspiration to those with dreams like his.

Works Cited

Sources : "Chuck Berry." //Contemporary Black Biography//. Vol. 29. Detroit: Gale, 2001. //Biography In Context//. Web. 3 May 2013.


 * Your Source List:**

Guitarist Research Notes Table
//cells will expand as you enter your findings// || "My Ding-A-Ling" -1972: sold a record-breaking 1,000,000 copies || What do you like about his/her style? || Daft Punk, Adele ||
 * ** Information Feature ** ||= **Your Findings**
 * The guitar style I am researching is: || Rock and Roll/ R&B ||
 * The artist I am researching is: || Chuck Berry ||
 * This guitarist lived from __to__ ___ || October 18, 1926- ||
 * Define and describe the guitar style you are researching. || Chuck Berry combines blues, country, and rock and roll to create his songs. ||
 * What kind of musical training did the guitarist have? || Berry did not receive any real musical training, but began performing and writing songs as early as high school. ||
 * What types of music influenced this artist? || Blues, Country, R&B, Rock and Roll ||
 * Name some musicians who influenced the guitarist you are researching. || T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters ||
 * Has this guitarist played more than one style? If so, what other styles? || Berry has played a combination of styles including blues, rock and roll, and country. ||
 * What type of guitar does this musician play? || Gibson ES-355 ||
 * What are some interesting facts about your guitarist’s childhood? || Chuck Berry actually grew up in a low/middle class family, and for a while the money from his various jobs went toward supporting them. ||
 * What did this guitarist do before he became famous? || Berry worked as a carpenter with his father and was a janitor at a St. Louis radio station. ||
 * List two interesting facts about the guitarist’s life. ||  ||
 * List two albums or songs your artist released, the dates they were released and why they are important. || "Maybellene" -1955: the song that made him famous
 * Who is playing this style of music today?
 * What legacy has this guitarist left to the world of music? || He proved that being rebellious and creative would often prove worthwhile, and that taking risks could very well result in success. ||