Chuck Berry Records A Classic

Today was a momentous day in the history of Rock and Roll!

The year was 1955—and music was in transition. Conflicting cultures were evident —the so-called “black music” was starting to go mainstream and attract white audiences. Elvis, Bill Haley and the Comets---and the man who would himself become synonymous with Rock & Roll….Chuck Berry!

The smash hit “Maybellene” was recorded on this date in ’55. Completely unknown at the time, this part-time professional musician from St. Louis paid his first visit to a recording studio and laid down the song that would make him famous.

While visiting Chicago, Berry approached the iconic blues musician Muddy Waters to ask for some career advice. Waters sent him to his label, Chess Records, where Chuck Berry managed to get a meeting with Leonard Chess—and a promise to audition the following week.

Hoping to impress Chess with his blues, the song that caught Chess’ ear was a rhythm and blues, country and western hybrid called “Ida Red”—renamed, “Maybellene”.

Berry, unsure of what would become of his session---returned to St. Louis. Popular DJ Alan Freed (the man credited with coining the term “rock & roll”) was given co-songwriting credit and a third of the royalties—IF he would promote it. The “payola” scandal would curtail practices like these in the future, but back then, it was commonplace. Freed played the song for two hours straight on his WINS radio show.

Meanwhile, Berry was planning on becoming a hairdresser (yes, a hairdresser)—when “Maybellene” hit the charts…it became a #1 R&B hit and #5 on the Pop charts. Needless to say, Chuck Berry made the right decision to put down the scissors and head in another career path!

Check out this video of Chuck Berry, performing that hit before a studio audience. Hilarious to watch how SEDATE the audience is while Berry scampers around and wails on the guitar-check it out:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y3-NSalpKI

“Maybellene” was the first Rock and Roll single by a black performer. Still kickin’ it at the ripe old age of 84, Chuck Berry is an American icon.

John Lennon once said that “if you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry’”

How true.

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