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Structure
Interesting Questions, Facts and Information
- There are a total of 40 general entries. We are selecting 30 for display.
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 Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information
 Berry, Chuck
Maybellene. The great "Maybellene" was his first song, along with "Wee Wee Hours."
1955. Though it was of course released in 1958, and a top hit that year.
October 18, 1926. Sources used to say that he was born January 15, 1926 but it later became clear that October 18, 1926 is the correct date.
My Ding-A-Ling. Unfortunately it took 17 years before Chuck scored his first and only #1 with "My Ding-A-Ling" in 1972. "Johnny B. Goode" only made it to #8! "Sweet Little Sixteen" held #2 for 3 weeks. "Roll Over Beethoven" made it to a mere #29.
the duckwalk. The duckwalk is awesome to see! He was still doing it at 75 years old!
1986. Chuck is one of the charter members of the Hall of Fame with his 1986 election along with the Godfather of Soul James Brown, the awesome Ray Charles, the ultra-smooth Sam Cooke, the cool Fats Domino, the Everly Brothers (not one of my personal favorites), the "Killer" Jerry Lee Lewis, the wild Little Richard, and the great Elvis Presley.
Chess Records. Chuck recorded for Chess Records from 1955-1966 and then came back in 1969 for a shorter stint.
Come On. "Come On" was recorded originally by Chuck on August 3, 1961. I like both versions, but Chuck's the man!
14. I feel that he deserved more. Elvis had 114 Top 40 hits. The Beatles had 52. The Rolling Stones had 41. The Beatles and the Stones were heavily influenced by Chuck. I think Chuck was just as good as Elvis though many of course will disagree.
Yes. Twice. Once in 1961 for 2 years on a morals charge. He transported a 14 year old girl across the state line. Again in 1979 for income tax evasion. Hey! I never said he was an angel. He's just a great legend and is still the man!
| Out of fear that his girl might be stolen away by another dancin' guy, Chuck promises to learn to dance . He even takes her to a little joint where they can jump and shout. Who is this girl with the dance requirements for her boyfriends? | Chuck Berry And His Rockin' Girls
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Carol. "Carol" has proven to be a very durable 50's rock number. Tommy Roe took it to the charts in 1964. The Rolling Stones included it on their U.S. premiere LP, "The Rolling Stones", and then performed it live on their 1969 tour. You can hear it on "Get Your Ya-Ya's Out".
| She moves around like a wayward summer breeze. Chuck saw her getting in a yellow cab heading uptown. Later, she suspiciously started walking toward a coffee-colored Cadillac. Busy, busy. Who is she? | Chuck Berry And His Rockin' Girls
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Nadine. Chuck kept up with the go-go era with "Nadine" in 1964. Incredibly, his 1955 hit, "Maybelline" made a comeback at the same time because you could dance the frug to it. These two hits with names of girls recorded nine years apart go to show the timelessness of Chuck Berry songs.
| This little girl was only nine years old and sweet as she could be. In addition to having a lot of famed autographs, she could dress up like a downtown Christmas tree. Who is this rockin' gal? | Chuck Berry And His Rockin' Girls
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Her name is not mentioned in the song.. She does not have a specific name, just what the song title tells us, "Sweet Little Rock 'n Roller". The hard-driving classic was admirably covered in 1979 by Rod Stewart.
| As Anthony Boy was leaving school, who were Betty and Barbara, and Jeannie and Jane yakety-yakkin' with in the vestibule about some things that Anthony had told her over the telephone? | Chuck Berry And His Rockin' Girls
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Joan. From the album "Chuck Berry is on Top", Chuck charted in 1959 with "Anthony Boy". Liner notes from the CD of that album indicate that Bo Diddley probably was second guitar on that song. Funny, but very few people talk about vestibules any more.
| In 1964 Chuck recorded an answer song to his 1958 smash hit, "Memphis". The 1964 song title contains a girl's name. What is the name of the girl mentioned in both songs? | Chuck Berry And His Rockin' Girls
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Marie. The answer song was "Little Marie". After seven years or so, Marie's mother and Chuck began to agree so well that they all lived together happily in Tennessee.
| It was a teenage wedding and the old folks wished them well. He was Pierre, but how was the intended bride identified in "You Never Can Tell"? | Chuck Berry And His Rockin' Girls
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the mademoiselle. "You Never Can Tell" had a remarkable revival in Quentin Tarantino's 1994 film hit, "Pulp Fiction". Uma Thurman and John Travolta did a twist number to Chuck's 30 year-old song on the dance floor at Jack Rabbit Slim's. That's pretty good staying power.
| Rebecca doesn't allow Chuck to mess around with her. After all, she is tantalizing, can't be true, and swings like a pendulum walking down the aisle. Who is she? | Chuck Berry And His Rockin' Girls
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Beautiful Delilah. "Beautiful Delilah" was yet another big hit for Chuck in 1958.
| Who is the Mexican beauty "En Baja California down in Tijuana" who so readily charmed Chuck? They danced and swayed to the music, but because of language differences had trouble communicating. Her beautiful name needed no translation. Who was she? | Chuck Berry And His Rockin' Girls
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Lajuanda. "Lajuanda" was the sultry and sensual flip side of the rocker "Oh Baby Doll" from 1957.
| Chuck got his start auditioning with an impressive song he called "Ida Red". The producers intervened, recommended a title change, and Chuck settled on calling the song "Maybelline". Who was the Maybelline Chuck was thinking of? | Chuck Berry And His Rockin' Girls
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a cow. "Maybelline" was inspired by a story Chuck had heard in his third grade class about a cow. Yes, a cow. And the rest is rock and roll history.
St. Louis. Charles Edward Anderson Berry was born in St. Louis, MO. Berry was a bright student who loved poetry, a love that fueled some of the most creative hits in rock and roll music.
Maybelline. On May 21, 1955, Chuck Berry took the old hillbilly standard, "Ida Red", made a few changes to it and the classic "Maybelline" was born. "Maybelline" was recorded on Chess Records at the same time that Bo Diddley's "Bo Diddley" was recorded, although the Diddley track was moved to the partner label, Checker Records.
Alan Freed. Alan Freed was involved in a huge payola scandal that ended his run as the most successful disc jockeys of his era. Freed received song writing credits, which resulted in payouts, for songs that he played over the radio and at dances. Freed is probably the first person to use the phrase "rock and roll".
Johnnie Johnson. Johnnie Johnson was the bandleader of the small combo that Berry joined in 1954. It didn't take long for Berry to take over and the combo became the Chuck Berry Trio. The band played every St. Louis night club possible. The only band that put up much competition was Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm. The Chuck Berry Trio soon became the house band at the Cosmopolitan Club, making way for huge popularity. The song "Johnny B. Goode" is written for and about Johnson.
My Ding-a-Ling. It wasn't until October of 1972 when Chuck Berry had his first chart topper. The song was originally recorded as "My Tambourine" in 1958. It took the 1970's love for novelty music to see Mr. Berry score his first and only number one hit single.
Mercury Records. Chuck Berry had a falling out with Chess Records and had a brief, yet tumultuous, time at Mercury. While at Mercury, Berry released "Live at the Fillmore Auditorium", an album that featured The Steve Miller Band as his backing group.
The Beach Boys. The Beach Boys first hit was "Surfin' USA", a tune that sounded an awful lot like Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen". So much so that Berry sued and won. Berry was actually in prison at the time of The Beach Boys release.
| What was the name of Chuck Berry's first LP? Remember that most artists released singles during that era and may not have released a full length album until many years into their career. | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: Chuck Berry
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After School Session. Berry's first long play album release was not until May 1, 1957. That's over two years and several hit singles before an album was released. The album featured the songs "School Day", "Too Much Monkey Business" and "Havana Moon".
Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin never recorded or was known to play a Chuck Berry song regularly in concert. The Beatles recorded several songs including "Rock and Roll Music" and "Roll Over Beethoven". AC/DC covered "School Days" and Eric Clapton recorded "Little Queenie". Most every rock and roll band has either covered or borrowed a Chuck Berry lick in one way or another.
Keith Richards. Keith Richards stated, "It's hard for me to induct Chuck Berry, because I lifted every lick he ever played." The induction was held in New York.
| What song are these lyrics from?
"She finally got the letter she was dreaming of
Johnny wrote and told her he had fell in love
As soon as he was married he would bring her back
And build a mansion for 'em by the railroad track
So every time they heard the locomotive roar
They'd be a' standin', a' wavin' by the kitchen door"
| Chuck Berry B. Goode
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Bye Bye Johnny. "Bye Bye Johnny" followed up his hit "Johnny B. Goode". It is believed that Johnny refers to his piano player and songwriting partner Johnny Johnson. Chuck was born on Goode Avenue in St. Louis.
| "I saw her from the corner when she turned and doubled back
And started walkin' toward a coffee colored cadillac
I was pushin' through the crowd to get to where she's at
And I was campaign shouting like a Southern diplomat"
is from what song named for a girl?
| Chuck Berry B. Goode
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Nadine. "Nadine" spent 26 weeks on the Billboard chart in 1957, rising to number 3. Don't you just love the phrase "campaign shouting like a Southern diplomat"?
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