Chuck Berry

Often cited as the man who "defined" rock and roll, African American singer/musician Chuck Berry was born in California and raised in St. Louis. Berry was guitarist for several Rhythm & Blues groups in the 1950s, notably Johnny Johnson's. In 1955, Berry recorded his first hit, "Maybelline." While many of his songs were "covered" by white artists in the race-conscious 1950s, Berry himself could still be heard on some emboldened radio stations who weren't concerned about offending the bigots. In movies almost from the moment he hit the charts, Berry was given guest spots in Rock Rock Rock (56) Mr. Rock and Roll (57) and Go, Johnny Go (58). Having appeared with disc jockey Alan Freed in the last two films, Berry was a logical choice to appear in the 1978 Freed biopic American Hot Wax, which starred Gary Busey. Chuck Berry was the whole show in the 1987 "rockumentary" Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll!. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide