Charles Edward Anderson Berry

March 18, 2017 - I've been trying to get some perspective of Chuck Berry's life. When in 1955 the big hits were The Ballad Of Davy Crockett by Fess Parker, Mr. Sandman by the Chordettes or Tennessee Ernie Ford's Sixteen Tons... Chuck Berry comes up with songs such as "Maybellene" (1955), "Roll Over Beethoven" (1956), "Rock and Roll Music" (1957) and "Johnny B. Goode" (1958). He's been covered by all genres including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis and Linda Ronstadt, Conway Twitty, Waylon Jennings, and Count Basie, AC/DC, and Judas Priest. His song Johnny B Goode is on the Voyager spacecraft hurling through space to some distant rockers! Consistently listed in the 10 of any rock list, his only number 1 single was the novelty song "My Ding-a-Ling"?! He had just announced a new album to release this year. Hopefully there is enough finished that we can get one more from the master. Thanks so much for all you've given us. RIP

Here's a song that Chuck Berry wrote, as performed by Carlos Santana!

 https://youtu.be/DtgNHnF7CYI

RIP Glen Campbell

Although I knew it was coming, and perhaps, in some ways a relief, the death of Glen Campbell really saddens me. Much more than a country star, Glen Campbell left a big mark on the world. He was an extraordinary musician, one of the true masters of guitar. But he also came face to face with his demons and led a happy later life. Up until he was diagnosed with alzheimer's, then he led an exceptional life! His attitude and openness were positive and beneficial to the alzheimer's community. If you haven't seen the movie "I'll Be Me", I highly recommend it. It is a tearjerker about a man and his family dealing with alzheimer's, the man just happens to be Glen Campbell.

Of course, all the news posts and specials cover some of the highlights of Glen's career, "Wichita Lineman, Rhinestone Cowboy, TV show, etc.... But did you know he was a session musician with the Wrecking Crew and played on many early recordings including Bobby Darin, Ricky Nelson, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, the Monkees, Nancy Sinatra, Merle Haggard, Jan and Dean, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra. Another great movie "The Wrecking Crew" 2008, also included Leon Russel!

Thanks Mr. Glen Campbell for sharing your amazing talents and life with us. One of my personal favorite songs is "Gentle On My Mind", written by John Hartford. You can find that all over and have a listen. But I'll leave you with some examples of his understated guitar mastery on this link. The first part is pretty rough recording, and basic rock n roll licks, but the later video country licks are ridiculous. 

 https://youtu.be/8fqN4zgqf78