Rock and roll legend Chuck Berry’s passing on Saturday (18th March 2017) at the age of 90, has prompted tributes and messages from stars and fans from around the globe. One of the founding Fathers of rock and roll and guitar music who influenced many, including The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.
Still playing concerts, he had also been making a brand new album “Chuck”, to be released on 16th June 2017. In tribute to him, the first single taken from the imminent new album, has been released by his record label. The infectious, up-tempo, rockin’ track “Big Boys”, is trademark Chuck; instantly recognisable guitar licks and his voice sounding as strong as ever.
The new album – his first since the 1979 release “Rock It” – features his children, Charles Berry Jr. on guitar and Ingrid Berry on harmonica and vocals. Chuck’s bass player for four decades, Jimmy Marsala is on the team too, along with Keith Robinson on drums and Robert Lohr on piano – The Blueberry Hill band. Three generations of the Berry family will appear on the record, which is dedicated to his wife Thelmetta “Toddy” Berry.
He began work on the album in 2014, but was taken ill the following year and had to take a break. There will be 10 tracks, of which there are eight new songs written by Chuck, and he produced the album himself. Some of the material is from songs he started in the 1980s. He delivers a sequel to his biggest hit, “Johnny B. Goode”, with “Lady B Goode”.
His family issued a statement to say that making the album “Chuck” had given him “a great sense of joy and satisfaction”, and “he had no greater wish than to see the album released to the world”, to celebrate and remember his 90 years of life through his music.
Hear the new single Big Boys here:
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