Conference napalm::guitar

    
    You should also check out his autobiography.  Very interesting stuff.
    
    The man did three stretches in prison, had a lot of business problems,
    mainly because he was black, and basically has led one very colorful
    life.
    
    Re: .0
    
    Remember, before there was rock and roll there was the music
    *business*.
    
    In fact it's still there, but rock and roll seems to be fading 8'(
    
    

    I hope Chuck ain't a phony. He looks like he's having fun when he
    plays. I saw him on TV about 10 years ago & he had a back up band.
    He did the first verse of Maybellene, then went into the chorus for
    Johnny B. Goode. Really surprized the backup band (he apologized
    for this on the TV show). His comment was something on the order
    of 'The songs are so similar, that I forgot what came next'. I don't
    really care as long as his songs still go over well (Johnny B. Goode
    tonight!!).
    							Jens

    What's all this fuss about "phonies"? Isn't everyone who gets up
    on a stage a phony? I thought that's what acting and performing
    was all about. Everybody seems to be getting upset because their
    idols turn out to be something other than what they appear. Personally,
    I'd be pretty disappointed if most entertainers were actually as
    shallow as they come across. I like to think there are some real
    people hiding behind the hype.
    
    So I guess John was supposed to never get out of that bed, and Chuck
    is supposed to spend his whole life grinding his hips, even in the
    bathroom, just to keep us happy. Give them a break.
    
    - Ram

    Jerry Martin (of Martin's Nu & Uzed Muzik) used to session with
    Chuckster, many moons ago.  He has one overriding impression of
    the entire ordeal; Chuck was the most inconsiderate and tuffta deal
    with *ssholes he had ever had the pleasure to meet.  Just one man's
    story, but from a very reliable source.
    
    Jon

re: < Note 507.4 by CIMNET::JNELSON "Animals think they're pretty smart" >
                      -< Hold yer bubbles, I gotta pin! >-

>    Jerry Martin (of Martin's Nu & Uzed Muzik) used to session with
>    Chuckster, many moons ago.  He has one overriding impression of
>    the entire ordeal; Chuck was the most inconsiderate and tuffta deal
>    with *ssholes he had ever had the pleasure to meet.  Just one man's
>    story, but from a very reliable source.


There's a guy I work with here in the BTO facility that was a lifelong
Chuck Berry fanatic.  He finally got to meet him by being a security
guard at a concert that he was playing in Burlington Vermont.  Boy was
he ever disillusioned after that.  He though Chuck was the biggest "you
know what" after the experience.  I guess Chuck blew into town drunk as
a skunk (no band, he had a local pickup band back him), was rude as hell
to everyone, even took a few shots at someone.  Nice guy!!

-gary

    A friend of mine played bass for Mr Berry on a european tour in
    the mid 70's. Some of what he told me could not be repeated in this
    note. Mr Berry is not much fun to work with and does wander from
    song to song during a 12 bar. However he did give us some classic
    guitar lines...
    
    	All those that can't play Johnny B. please raise a hand....
    
    	
    jr.

        What you all have said may be true, but nowhere have I ever
    heard Chuck Berry claim to be the father of rock and roll. Any praise
    that comes from other people isn't something that he can control.
        Some of you people just love to rip musicians apart. Why?
    

    re .7
    
    You're right. Chuck never asked for it. I was just trying to draw
    a parallel between Chuck and John Lennon, whom others accused of
    being a phony. I don't think either ofthem are phonies; just that
    there is often (always?) a difference between the image and the
    reality. It's kind of disappointing when you learn the reality.
    Just another part of growing old, I guess.
    
    -Dave

    Chuck Berry was on a TV chat show here in the UK the other week.
    I understand that it's most rare for him to appear on such things.
    Anyway, he came across as a genial sort of guy and got good press
    afterwards.
    
    But then again, maybe thats all part of the act.
    
    Richard
    
    UK SWAW

    My impression is that Chuck Berry is actually a really nice guy
    who just goes out of his way to act like a bastard around other
    musicians because he thinks that's what turns them on.
    
    - Ram

    Surely the story is that Chuck is the way he is because he got ripped
    off so many times.
    
    I heard a story long time ago that when he was here in the UK about
    20 years ago he was checking the $ to pound exchange rate and when
    it fluctuated in his favour he demanded the extras in cash, daily.
    
    Problem with this story is that it was not clear if he gave it back
    when the swing went the other way.
    
    Anyway, who cares.
    
    Chuck was the first guitar player i ever heard (back in the 50s)
    who played like that and it took me from rock to country blues to
    bluegrass to old time to cajun to .....
    
    andy
    

    For those interested, there is a special playing on The Movie Channel
    on Chuck Berry.  
    
    I saw part of it last night and it seemed very interesting.  It has
    some good live and practice footage with Keith Richards, Robert Cray,
    and Eric Clapton, among others and lots of interviews with Chuck and
    people that have played with him. 
    
    I'd like to see the whole thing, as I happened on it flipping through
    the channels and had to leave before it was over due to a previous
    commitment.
    
    Greg

    Greg,
    
    The movie is "Hail Hail Rock and Roll", and it is a kind of documentary
    of the life and times of Chuck Berry. It is extremely insightful ! I
    remember coming away with a picture of a man who is really a living
    legend and absolutely the father of rock & roll, but who didn't seem to
    be aware of that fact. Sure, there are times when he comes across as
    real b*stard ie when he and Keith Richards nearly come to blows during
    rehearsal. It is a "warts & all" documentary, alot of honesty, and just
    compelling viewing ! Check it out !
    
    Jeff.
    

    Thanks!  Anyone know if it's out on video?  I did enjoy what I saw of
    it before.
    
    Greg

    RE: .14
    
    I've seen in Video stores in the Worcester area.
    
    Joe

    - re .13
    
    I saw the documentary and the scenes with Keith did unfortunately make
    quite an impression on me. It does appear that Chuck is not the type of
    person you'd want to hang around with. It's just a little sad and
    disappointing. It's also disallusioning that he doesn't seem to think
    much of his music or even the whole genre. We do expect a lot from our 
    heros (nobody can take away Chuck's influence however it came about) but is
    there ever an excuse for being rude and obnoxious? If we help our idols 
    down from their pedastals,  don't we apply the same standards as everyone 
    else should adhere too?  Then again,  I don't have to deal with the man. I 
    can just enjoy his music!
    
    Barry