Chuck Berry announces first new album since 1979
Chuck Berry is releasing his first new studio album for 38 years.
The music legend turned 90 on Tuesday (10.18.16) and to mark the milestone birthday he’s announced his 18th LP ‘Chuck’ is being released in 2017 on Nashville label Dualtone Records. His last studio release was 1979’s ‘Rock It’.
The ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ hitmaker – real name Charles Berry – has dedicated the record of new songs to his wife of 68 years, Themetta ‘Toddy’ Suggs and hinted it will be his last ever collection of music.
He said: "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!"
The LP is a family affair as Chuck’s children Charles Berry Jr. and Darlin Ingrid Berry – who are part of their father’s backing group, The Blueberry Hill Band – both play he harmonica and guitar on the album, which has been produced by Chuck.
Bassist Jimmy Marsala, who has played with Berry for four decades, and pianist Robert Lohr and drummer Keith Robinson also feature on the tracks.
Of the new songs, which were recorded in the music legend’s hometown of St. Louis, his son Charles said: "What an honor 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 one of the pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll music and his early songs, such as ‘Rock and Roll Music’, ‘Johnny B. Goode’ and ‘Roll Over Beethoven’, influenced the likes of The Beatles – who covered his tracks – The Rolling Stones, Bill Haley & His Comets and The Beach Boys.
