Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry (born October 18, 1926 in
St. Louis, Missouri) is an American
guitarist,
singer and
songwriter.
Chuck Berry is an influential figure and one of the pioneers of
rock and roll music. According to
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's
website, "While no individual can be said to have invented
rock and roll, Chuck Berry comes the closest of any single figure to being the one who put all the essential pieces together."
wrote, "Of all the early breakthrough rock & roll artists, none is more important to the development of the music than Chuck Berry. He is its greatest songwriter, the main shaper of its instrumental voice, one of its greatest guitarists, and one of its greatest performers."
was more succinct: "If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry'."
