Chuck Berry: The Biography [Hardcover]

John Collis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2002

It’s no exaggeration to say that, with songs like Rock 'n’ Roll Music, Roll Over Beethoven, and Johnny B. Goode, Chuck Berry invented rock 'n’ roll. However, his career has been overshadowed, and often stalled, by tax evasion, liaisons with an underage prostitute, and jail sentences. Now, John Collis interviews those who have worked with Berry and uncovers the truth about his life back in St. Louis. The result is a clear-eyed portrait of a musical genius who, even in his seventies, is still up on stage singing Sweet Little Sixteen.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fast-paced...provocative look at Berry's creativity, longevity, and influence on rock 'n' roll." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

It’s no exaggeration to say that, with songs like “Rock Œn’ Roll Music,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” and “Johnny B. Goode,” Chuck Berry invented rock Œn’ roll. Yet Berry has been respected rather than loved—in fact, after producing the birthday–tribute film “Hail, Hail, Rock and Roll” for him, Keith Richards remarked “I wouldn’t warm to Chuck Berry if I was cremated next to him.” Notorious for using pick–up musicians to avoid the expense of a touring band, he insists on cash payment before he’ ll play and congratulates himself on his accumulation of wealth. His career has been overshadowed, and often stalled, by tax evasion, liaisons with an underage prostitute, and jail sentences. Now, John Collis interviews those who have worked with Berry and uncovers the truth about his life back in St. Louis. The result is a clear–eyed portrait of a musical genius who, even in his seventies, is still up on stage singing “Sweet Little Sixteen.”

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Aurum Press (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1854108735
• ISBN-13: 978-1854108739
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,561,747 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A true rock'n'roll innovator despite being an unlikable person, April 11, 2009

By 

Siriam (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chuck Berry: The Biography (Hardcover)

Written by a UK fan from when he first saw Chuck Berry on tour in Bristol in the 1960s, Collis avoids many of the problems in such lifetime fan tomes by covering the many dislikable personal and business aspects of Berry's character alongside a career history of the man's many momentous recording achievements.

The start of the book after a short bio over view is background on why St Louis is an under rated music centre versus Chicago and Memphis in US history, identifying the key influences on Berry's music alongside Chuck's key early life history. The main meat of the book is its central chapters with a lengthy coverage of Berry's recording history and live performances across the critical 50s and 60s. Collis's detailed comments on the mixed bag approach of Berry to recording and highlighting those gems which have all stood the test of time thankfully avoids it all becoming a tedious listing of sessions data. The later chapters given Berry's lack of real recording activity and consistently lack lustre live shows since the early 1970s (a feature I have sadly personally experienced several times) make a valiant effort covering such key events as his trial for tax evasion and the 60th birthday bash organised by Keith Richards.

The sad conclusion is that early setbacks and bad experiences (both racist and financial), especially his imprisonment in the early 1960s on sex charges, resulted in Berry having an ongoing lack of trust of anyone and a penny pinching and control freak approach to his career, whatever the consequences. His own lack of personal vision meant he never would look to a powerful manager or record producer who could have helped him apply a greater business acumen and discipline around recording and live shows. Two examples epitomise this quandary- the inability to turn his country club Berry Park into a successful venture probably owes more to his failing to add golfing facilities than the claimed police harassment and if he had made the investment in a good permanent live backing band (such as Fats Domino did), the man would have probably cleaned up on the financial rewards from world tours.

Collis has clearly had no major direct contact with Berry though given the man's approach to interviews documented in the book this is no great loss it seems. He is thus reliant on using all other sources available including interviews with some key associates notably the much abused pianist Johnnie Johnston to fill out the story. The overall result is a pretty balanced account and while many such as Keith Richards may have ended up hating the guy, Collis does a pretty good job of creating the overall historical context while not seeking to justify the resulting behaviour of one of rock'n'roll's true innovators.

One finishes the book aware that since it was written in 2002 Berry has continued as before so nothing it seems will change at this late stage in the man's life. Indeed, one is left feeling that Berry is in many ways a rerun of an earlier 20th century black hero Jack Johnston who in personal attitude and approach was consistently oblivious to the long term impact it produced in others.

1 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars life of chuck, July 14, 2003

By 

William D. Tompkins (New York, New York USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chuck Berry: The Biography (Hardcover)

chuck writes well here in this book that goes till the late 80's. he may need tow riter another that takes him further on down the road. the photos are week in the book and could have been edited a bit better but overall this is a pleasant read.