Fender Dual Showman Ex Chuck Berry

Chuck Berry
(1926 – 2017)

Main guitar: Gibson ES-355
Essential track: Johnny B. Goode

“If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it Chuck Berry,” said John Lennon, perfectly capturing the monumental role of the brilliant musician from St. Louis, Missouri. While Elvis stole the spotlight with his charisma and velvet voice, it was Chuck who wrote most of the genre’s foundational classics and delivered its greatest guitar moments. His electric guitar style—fast, aggressive, and steeped in the blues—became the Bible for countless musicians, including Keith Richards, Angus Young, and Bob Dylan.

Berry himself drew heavy inspiration from pianist Johnnie Johnson, his longtime collaborator, infusing his riffs with an unmatched sense of showmanship. With his duck walk, splits, and raw animal magnetism, watching Chuck perform was both a musical and visual experience. As early as 1953, Berry recognized the potential in blending Black blues with white country music. He built his sound around this hybrid, starting with his 1955 debut single, Maybellene, a bold reworking of the country tune Ida Red, released on the legendary Chess Records label, home of Chicago blues.

Hit after hit followed, each one a template for generations to come: Roll Over Beethoven, Too Much Monkey Business, Rock and Roll Music, Sweet Little Sixteen, Carol, and, of course, the ultimate classic—Johnny B. Goode, with its iconic opening riff. But the brilliant guitarist’s life was marred by scandal, and he spent a year and a half in prison for transporting a minor across state lines for immoral purposes.

After his release in 1963, Berry began to reap the immense influence he had sown. The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Beach Boys all drew heavily from his catalog, while the original rock architect continued releasing strong material. Over time, however, the hits stopped coming. His only chart-topping single turned out to be the cheeky live novelty My Ding-A-Ling. From then on, Berry focused on live performances, touring relentlessly and performing the hits that made him a legend.

In 2017, his posthumous album Chuck was released—a touching and fitting final tribute after 38 years of silence. The record stands as a powerful reminder of the giant Chuck Berry truly was.