Greetings from Laurel Canyon!
Still a bit under the clouds this week. I was actually in bed watching March Madness basketball when I heard the news—Chuck Berry has “bought the farm.” Hearing the news, I wasn’t shocked or sad. I just immediately flashed to my childhood.
In those days we still had drive-in movies. Parents would dump all the kids in the car and hit the asphalt for a double-header of B flicks. Two of the films that became influences on me from that era were Woodstock and a film called Let The Good Times Roll.
At age 10, I simply loved ’50s revivals. I would bug mom to take me to Madison Square Garden to see concerts stacked with the likes of Chuck, Bo Diddley, Bill Haley & The Comets, Little Richard, The Coasters, The Shirelles, Johnny Maestro, and others!
To no one’s surprise it would be Chuck Berry who made the greatest impression. Listening to his songs was like learning how to talk. He made the language of The Rolling Stones, New York Dolls, and The Ramones come with ease. Chuck was more than just a great showman. He rocked the fuck out! The man could tear a house down with an ES 335 Gibson. No one will ever call Chuck Berry classy, kind, loving, classy or a gentleman but he always play rock ‘n’ roll music with ease of a god.
This week’s Idelic Hour features a “dozen berries” and a few assorted covers. It’s dedicated to a man who altered my soul.
Hail Hail Chuck Berry! Hail Hail Rock ‘n’ Roll!
The Idelic Hit of the Week: Portugal. The Man – Feel It Still
