Earlier this afternoon, Chuck Berry passed away at the age of 90. According to ABC News, the St. Charles County, Missouri, police responded to a medical emergency around 12:40PM and found Berry unresponsive. He was pronounced dead shortly after. Berry, known for his definitive songwriting in songs like “Johnny B. Goode,” “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Sweet Little Sixteen,” and so many more, was known as the Father of Rock and Roll.
On his 90th birthday last October of 2016, Berry announced that he was releasing a new album, and dedicating it to his wife of 68 years who he called “Toddy.” In a statement he said, “My darlin’ I’m growing old! I’ve worked on this record for a long time. Now I can hang up my shoes!” Titled Chuck, the album has no release date. According to Berry’s son Charles Berry, who plays on the record along with Ingrid Berry on harmonica, pianist Robert Lohr, drummer Keith Robinson and bassist Jimmy Marsala, who’s played with Berry for 40 years, “These songs cover the spectrum from hard-driving rockers to soulful, thought-provoking time capsules of a life’s work.” More about Chuck here.
Rest In Peace, Chuck Berry!