... and dare you, in case you lift your eyebrow or shake your head. Because I just wanna mention, that without him, there wouldn't have been Elvis, The Beatles nor the Rolling Stones, or in generell the art of rockmusic as we know it. Chuck Berry is without doubt one of the inventors, or even - the - inventor of Rock'n'Roll. Charles Edward Anderson Berry has become 81 years young on oct. 18. And that's what he really is, young at heart and pretty fit with an irresistable charming smile and humour. 
Yes of course, the younger generation don't know this legend anymore, exept their parents got them into it, or the average love for music is so strong, that it has led them to this musician. Because you just can't avoid him. Chuck Berry is still around all over the place by having his songs played by so many other artists.
Whoever is interested in his biography and history, please click
here.

Okidok, after this event had been cancelled twice, out of whatever reasons for, so tonight our Elserhalle is almost sold out, despite the high ticket price of 60 Euros. And what can I tell you....?! There are quite a few young people in the audiance, who, like I said before, know the name just by having heard it somewhere before. I for my part haven't seen Chuck playing live either, but his music followed me through my life so far. Apart from that, there are lots of midfifties and some pensioniers beyond 60, who actually have experienced the great era of Rock'n'Roll themselves. 
And no, here is not a band, who first plays for 45 minutes before the king comes on stage to act for a 30 min. stint in the limelight, before he disappears again, and the band plays for another 30 min. on their own to value the ticketprices. 

No, this is not the case. The lights go out, or better go on, and Chuck Berry follows last behind his band on stage with his wellknown captains hat and a blue glittershirt. Ladies and Gentlemen here he is, The Godfather Of Rock'n'Roll. He starts off with 'Roll Over Beethoven'.... and the place is boiling. One smashhit comes after the other -Sweet Little Sixtien“ , Maybellene, Memphis Tennessee or No Particular Place to Go. And inbetween he's asking the audiance: "Do you still know Rock'n'Roll?- And over all, he doesn't just do the singing but also the guitar playing himself, even he makes quite a few mistakes. But it doesn't matter with this status and his 81 years of age. When inbetween the guitar breaks down, he reaches out for the bass: "never mind",- he says, "I'll get something outta this here as well". Yes of course he does, although it's obvious he can't play it. Back on the guitar, he thinks loud, what he could play next. Chuck: "yeah well, I could play another Chuck Berry song, how about that?”. – Yes of course, that's why we are here for and nothing else. Shake, Rattle and Roll and his 1972 Hit My Ding-a-Ling is next.His daughter Ingrid Berry-Clay is helping him on vocals. She's a great R'n'B singer. On the second guitar is his son Charles Berry jr, who is also his manager. James Marsala on bass, Daniel Trustrup Rossing - piano and Jean-Michael Biger - Drums. It's almost half of a family company. And that's no mistake. You can see, that son and daughter have herited daddies talents.  


„Have we played ‚Johnny Be Good’? Nein?’ our Oldie asks with a twinkle....  - 

So off we go with one of the biggest Rock'n'Roll classics ever. Go go Johnny go.... He actually sings only 3 or 4 words, the rest of the song is done by the audiance. Chuck is delighted about the fact, that even in 2007 people still know all the words of this tune. "I love you Munich" - is his answer to that. Chuck asks all girls and women to join him on stage, and yes they do so and start the ultimate Rock'n'Roll dance. And the party is wilder than the roughest Heavy Metal concert. 

After aprox. just over a hour, the prime minister of Rock'n'Roll goes off stage without an encore. But it's not needed - it's okay. 
Just to repeat myself all over again, he ain't young anymore, but despite this fact and the mistakes by playing, he is still fit and pretty energetic. It's fun, it's easy going and
.. it’s only Rock’n’Roll Music. -
And the way I have started this review I'll end it with all my respect and a big thank you to the inventor of Rock'n'Roll - Mr. Chuck Berry.
http://www.chuckberry.com/