´óÏó´«Ã½

Exclusive ´óÏó´«Ã½ interviews with Chuck Berry recounting his childhood upbringing; how his parents instilled in him the power of poetry by often reciting verses aloud at home. His early musical influences – especially blues music and the important lessons he learned from his musical idols like Muddy Waters. We hear about his first hit with Chess Records, Maybelline which tapped into a new zeitgeist – the youthful energy of an unsettled generation.

Many hits followed including Roll Over Beethoven, School Days, Sweet Little Sixteen, and Johnny B Goode. There was also his signature dance, the duckwalk which the crowds loved. His influence on a new generation of music artists cannot be underestimated. His scepticism of the music industry, paved the way for African-American artists setting up their own labels and his original style of lyrical versatility and guitar twangs has changed popular music forever.

Presenter: Mark Coles
Producer: Nina Robinson