At the end of 1952, he met Jonnie Johnson, a local jazz pianist, and joined his band, the Sir John's Trio. Louis, and Berry quickly developed a reputation for his lively showmanship. They played at local Black nightclubs in St. He also took up the guitar again when, in 1951, his former high school classmate Tommy Stevens invited him to join his band. In 1948, Berry married Themetta "Toddy" Suggs, with whom he would eventually have four children. Louis, where he worked for his father's construction business and part-time as a photographer and as a janitor at a local auto plant. Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Imagesīerry served three years in the Intermediate Reformatory for Young Men outside of Jefferson, Missouri, before gaining release on good behavior on October 18, 1947, which was his 21st birthday. Martha was one of the few Black women of her generation to gain a college education, and Henry was an industrious carpenter as well as a deacon at the Antioch Baptist Church.Ĭhuck Berry poses for a portrait holding his Gibson hollowbody electric guitar circa 1958. Louis in search of employment during the World War I era. His parents, Martha and Henry Berry, were the grandchildren of enslaved people, and are among the many African Americans who migrated from the rural South to St. LouisĬhuck Berry was born Charles Edward Anderson Berry on October 18, 1926, in St. 1 hit in 1972 with "My Ding-a-Ling." With his clever lyrics and distinctive sounds, Berry became one of the most influential figures in the history of rock music. He began producing hits in the 1950s, including 1958's "Johnny B. As a teen, he was sent to prison for three years for armed robbery. Goode." Who Was Chuck Berry?Ĭonsidered by many as the "father of rock 'n' roll," Chuck Berry had early exposure to music at school and church. He's known for songs including "Maybellene" and "Johnny B. Chuck Berry was one of the most influential rock 'n' roll performers in music history.
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