Chuck Berry has died at the age of 90.
The rock ‘n’ roll legend passed away at his home in Missouri on Saturday (18.03.17), St Charles County police have confirmed.
They said in a statement: ”St Charles County police responded to a medical emergency on Buckner Road at approximately 12:40 p.m. today (Saturday, March 18). Inside the home, first responders observed an unresponsive man and immediately administered lifesaving techniques.
”Unfortunately, the 90-year-old man could not be revived and was pronounced deceased at 1:26 p.m. The St Charles County Police Department sadly confirms the death of Charles Edward Anderson Berry Sr., better known as legendary musician Chuck Berry. The family requests privacy during this time of bereavement.”
During his lengthy career, Chuck – who was known as one of the pioneers of rock and roll music – changed the face of the music scene when he released ‘Maybellene’, which swiftly became a huge hit.
Many hits followed including ‘Promised Land’, ‘Johnny B Goode’ and ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ and in January 1986, Berry became one of the first to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
His tragic passing comes only months after Chuck announced he would be releasing his first new studio album in 38 years to mark his 90th birthday.
He said at the time: ”This record is dedicated to my beloved Toddy. My darlin’ I’m growing old! I’ve worked on this record for a long time. Now I can hang up my shoes!”
Of the new songs, which were recorded in the music legend’s hometown of St. Louis, his son Charles added: ”What an honour to be part of this new music. The St Louis band, or as dad called us ‘The Blueberry Hill Band,’ fell right into the groove and followed his lead. These songs cover the spectrum from hard driving rockers to soulful thought provoking time capsules of a life’s work.”
Chuck is survived by his wife Themetta ‘Toddy’ Suggs and his four children – Charles Berry Jr., Ingrid Berry, Aloha Berry and Melody Exes Berry-Eskridge.
