Brown Eyed Handsome Man: The Life and Hard Times of Chuck Berry (Paperback)

~ Bruce Pegg (Author) "In the early part of the twentieth century, the neighborhood known as the Ville, just a few miles north and west of downtown St. Louis..." (more)
Key Phrases: stereo remix, telephone interview with the author, sweet little sixteen, Chuck Berry, Johnnie Johnson, Merle Silverstein (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Elvis might still reign as the king of rock'n' roll, but Chuck Berry clearly invented the form. Strangely, not much has been written about the seminal songwriter ("Maybellene," "Johnny B. Goode"). Berry himself had the last word in his rather explicit 1986 autobiography. Here Pegg (writing, Syracuse Univ.) attempts to clarify his often troubled life, chronicling Berry's childhood in a segregated and racist St. Louis, successes and failures with Chess Records, run-ins with the law, and ultimate icon status. Interviews with friends and associates shed light on the shadows that Berry was reluctant to reveal in his autobiography (e.g., he was arrested under the Mann Act for allegedly having sex with a minor). Pegg also examines each of Berry's records in depth, tracing the development of his groundbreaking blend of blues, hillbilly, and jazz. Well-known as a gifted guitarist, Berry is also revealed to be a serious businessman. Pegg alternates between hagiography and harsh judgments of Berry, making the book feel off-balance. In spite of this shortcoming, Pegg provides an often-engaging portrait of a musician so devoted to his music that he is duck-walking his way into his eighties. The only biography on Berry in print, this is recommended for most libraries. (Photos not seen.) Henry L. Carrigan Jr., Lancaster, PA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

Peggs scholarship is tidy, his writing is clear and straightforward.
–The Los Angeles Times

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (March 16, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415937515
• ISBN-13: 978-0415937511
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #267,262 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't put this book down!, February 25, 2004

By	Robert R. Amis (Ponca City, OK United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Brown Eyed Handsome Man: The Life and Hard Times of Chuck Berry (Hardcover)

As a long time fan of Chuck Berry, I have tried to read everything I could find about him, from enclyclopedia's to Rolling Stone Magazine. Over the past 20 years, I have tried to piece together the various differing messages about him, from musical genius to "difficult to work with" entertainer. This book puts it all together in an extremely well written and well documented manner. Pegg ties together all of the pieces with a lot of information and insight otherwise unknown, with interviews of principle persons in Chuck's musical and professional life. He is obviously a fan of Chuck's, but the book is very honest with the facts and never sensational.

If you are a fan of Chuck Berry, please do yourself a favor and get this book. You will not be able to stop reading it! I think it also would be helpful for anyone interested in the social/historical milieu of this time period in relationship to black entertainers in general as well.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hail, Hail, Chuck Berry!, September 13, 2004

By	johann (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brown Eyed Handsome Man: The Life and Hard Times of Chuck Berry (Hardcover)

I've been reading this book for the last few months (it's been my reading material on the train on the weekends hehe) and it's been an enertaining read of the life and hard times of Chuck Berry.
Previous to reading this book, I had only heard Chuck Berry's music and loved it, but did not know much about the man himself.
Bruce Pegg has done a good job of detailing Chuck's life, from the early days in The Ville, his begginings in music, Racism in the USA in the 50's, Chuck's relationship with Chess Records, concerts, all his court appearances (the Mann Act Trial, the Southern Aire Restuarant Video Tape Scandal (which I first heard about on E! News!) plus much more.
There are some great photos in the book which i'm not sure have been seen before.
Pegg also has also rounded up all the important people in Chuck's life and they all give interesting comments.
I haven't read Chuck Berry's offical Autobiography, but upon reading this, i'm sure this gives a much better view into his life.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chuck Berry Demystified, March 6, 2003

By	eric albert (New York City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Brown Eyed Handsome Man: The Life and Hard Times of Chuck Berry (Hardcover)

Great Book. Very informative. A thorough body of research was completed in order to have this book published. I thought I knew all about Chuck Berry until I read this book. I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Chuck's. The book is balanced and pulls no punches. No wonder the biography is unauthorized. It contains information that is both provoctive and endearing.