Episode 115: Exploring the Musical Influence of Chuck Berry

Pacific St Blues & Americana

September 11, 2022

We have a really smokin' show this week including numerous homegrown specials and an in-depth exploration of the music of Chuck Berry.

Over the past several months we have explored the roots of 'rock music' of the 60s and 70s. While there are the clear influences of Elvis Presley and Little Richard, less obvious, but arguably more profound, as the influences of three blues artists: Robert Johnson, Willie Dixon, and Chuck Berry. It has been suggested, and I agree, that the influence of an artist is determined, at least in part, by the frequency of others covering their music and recording their songs.

Specifically, we've examined the musical influences of the King of the Delta Blues, Robert Johnson, Chess Records ' songwriter Willie Dixon, and this week we'll take an in-depth look at the music and influence of the legendary, St Louis born, Chuck Berry, the poet laureate of rock n' roll.

Berry spent most of his career recording for the Chicago-based blues label, Chess Records. Along with stable mates Willie Dixon and Muddy Waters, one can make a pretty solid argument that the music we all knew and grew up with had its roots firmly planted at 2010 South Michigan Avenue and the home of Chess Records.

Join me today for some great music and good stories.

1. BB King / Jack You're Dead
2. Blue House & the Rent to own Horns / Hey Martha!
3. Dana Fuchs / Hard Road
4. Tommy Castro / Ninety-Nine and One Half
5. Mike Farris / Monkey Man (The Rock House Nashville All Stars)
6. Josh Hoyer / Gimme
7. Marcus King / Hard Working Man
8. Billy Gibbons w/ Larkin Poe / Shakin' Bones
9. Lou Ann Barton / One Way Street
10. Sass Jordan / Still Alive and Well
11. Lucinda Williams / Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
12. Rex Granite Band / Open Up Your Window
21. George Benson / How You've Changed
22. Joe Bonamassa w/ Mike Zito / Wee Wee Hours
23. Louis Jordan / Ain't That Just Like a Woman
24. Johnnie Johnson / Tanquery
25. Rolling Stones / Little Queenie
26. Chuck Berry / Little Queenie
27. T Rex / Bang a Gong
28. Linda Ronstadt / Back in the USA
29. Aaron Neville / You Never Can Tell
30. The Beatles / Roll Over Beethoven
31. Ike & Tina Turner / Come Together
32. Chuck Berry / You Can't Catch Me
33. Ronnie Wood / Blue Feeling
34. Elvis Presley / Promised Land
35. George Thorogood / Let It Rock
36. Lonnie Mack w/ Stevie Ray Vaughan / Memphis
37. Johnny Winter / Johnnie B Goode