Chuck Berry.

Born on October 18, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri, Berry was the third of six children to a contractor and deacon and his wife, a qualified principal. He attended Sumner High School, where he developed an interest in music and photography. He originally aspired to be a photographer and worked as a janitor, carpenter, and hairdresser before turning to music full-time.

Berry’s first hit Maybellene in 1955 launched his career, followed by Roll Over Beethoven 1956, Rock and Roll Music 1957, and Johnny B. Goode 1958. He wrote lyrics focusing on teen life and consumerism, and his guitar solos and showmanship became hallmarks. Berry made his national television debut on American Bandstand in 1957. He served three jail terms that interrupted his career: for armed robbery in 1944, violation of the Mann Act in 1959, and income-tax evasion in 1979. Despite legal troubles, he continued touring and performing, including monthly shows at Blueberry Hill in St. Louis until his death.

Berry married Themetta Suggs in 1948, and they remained together until his death in 2017. He had children including Ingrid Berry and Aloha Berry. He was a car enthusiast who owned a warehouse full of old Cadillacs from the mid-1950s onward. He also had a preference for dining at Indian restaurants after shows, a habit noted by roadies.

Many call Berry the Father of Rock and Roll. He influenced artists like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Berry in 1986, and he received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2000. The guitar intro of Johnny B. Goode is widely recognized and was included on the Voyager Golden Record. Berry’s songwriting and style shaped the course of rock music, and he is remembered for his pioneering contributions.