Celebrities Mourn Rock Legend Chuck Berry: ‘Thou Shall Have No Other Rock Gods Before Him'
Guitarists like Slash weighed in on the "Johnny B. Goode" songwriter's death
•
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Chuck Berry, whose electrifying songs helped usher in the rock ‘n’ roll era, has died, according to police in St. Charles, Missouri. Influenced by blues greats like T-Bone Walker and Muddy Waters, he shot to stardom with a showmanship and sound all his own.
The death of legendary rocker Chuck Berry Saturday sent a shockwave through the music community and beyond.
The singer, songwriter and thrilling guitarist was pronounced dead Saturday afternoon near St. Louis, police said.
Long recognized as a founding father of rock 'n' roll, celebrities took to Twitter soon after news of his death broke Saturday to offer their condolences for the 90-year-old.
Bruce Springsteen, left , and Chuck Berry laugh during the performance of the Berry hit "Johnny B. Goode" at the Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on Saturday, Sept. 2, 1995. Berry was the opening act of the concert. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
AP
Performer Chuck Berry listens for the crowd to sing to him during the performance of his hit song "Johnny B. Goode" at the Concert for the Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Saturday, Sept. 2, 1995.
AP
Chuck Berry points to the outdoor crowd gathered for the Festival of Hope Rockfest at the Roosevelt Raceway in Westbury, Long Island, New York, Aug. 12, 1972.
American guitarist and singer Chuck Berry performs his "duck walk" on stage as he plays his guitar on April 4, 1980. The location is not known.
AP
Rock 'n' roll musician Chuck Berry walks out of Los Angeles Federal Court, Ca., July 10, 1979. Berry was sentenced to 120 days in prison and 1,000 hours of community service after pleading guilty to evading federal taxes of about $200,000 in 1973.
Chuck Berry, right, laughs with fellow guitarist Keith Richards, of the Rolling Stones, at New York's Studio 54 on Feb. 28, 1980. Berry was an influential figure to musicians across generations.
From left: Actress-singer Anita Gillette, musician Chuck Berry, singer Tony Bennett and jazz musician Lionel Hampton are shown together at the Songwriters Hall of Fame dinner at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Monday, March 8, 1981.
Chuck Berry, left, takes time out from his regular concert schedule to put on a free show for inmates at the Missouri State Penitentiary, June 24, 1982, Jefferson City, Mo. Berry treated the inmates to some of his best-known hits, including "Roll Over Beethoven" and "Johnny B. Goode."
Musician Chuck Berry, left, and country pop singer John Denver, right, play their guitars during an appearance on an NBC show, July 2, 1984, St. Louis, Missouri. Denver appeared at the St. Louis Veiled prophet fair and Berry lives in the St. Louis area.
Rock 'n' roll musician Chuck Berry laughs as he poses with his plaque after receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, Oct. 8, 1987. Berry received the 1,857th star on the boulevard.
President-elect Bill Clinton, left center, gives a high-five to Chuck Berry, right, during the finale of the Presidential Gala at the Capital Centre, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 1993, Landover, Maryland. At left are Michael Jackson, crouched, and Chelsea Clinton.
Bruce Springsteen, left , and Chuck Berry laugh during the performance of the Berry hit "Johnny B. Goode" at the Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on Saturday, Sept. 2, 1995. Berry was the opening act of the concert. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Getty Images
Chuck Berry with Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones at The Fox Threatre in St. Louis during the filming of the documentary "Hail Hail Rock N Roll."
Legendary guitarist and singer Chuck Berry and wife, Themetta, enter the Kennedy Center for the 23rd annual Kennedy Center Honors in Washington on Dec. 3, 2000. Berry was one of the year's recipients cited for career achievements in the arts.
Rock 'n' roll legend Chuck Berry stands on top of a drum set to escape a crowd of Japanese fans who had rushed onto the stage during a concert in Tokyo on March 22, 2002. Berry had asked for six female volunteers to join him on stage to dance but had to stop the concert when he was surrounded by dozens of excited fans. Berry performed two nights in Tokyo with James Brown.
Getty Images
Chuck Berry performs at the Congress Theater on January 1, 2011, in Chicago.
St. Louis native Chuck Berry, throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs, Friday, July 29, 2011, in St. Louis.
Legendary musician Chuck Berry sits on a stage next to a statue of himself during its dedication Friday, July 29, 2011, in University City, Missouri. The statue of the St. Louis native was dedicated near Blueberry Hill, the University City club where the octogenarian still performs monthly.
Chuck Berry performs during the 2012 Awards for Lyrics of Literary Excellence at The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library And Museum on February 26, 2012, in Boston.
