Chuck Berry: The Biography

by John Collis

It’s no exaggeration to say that, with songs like Rock 'n’ Roll Music, Roll Over Beethoven, and Johnny B. Goode, Chuck Berry invented rock 'n’ roll. However, his career has been overshadowed, and often stalled, by tax evasion, liaisons with an underage prostitute, and jail sentences. Now, John Collis interviews those who have worked with Berry and uncovers the truth about his life back in St. Louis. The result is a clear-eyed portrait of a musical genius who, even in his seventies, is still up on stage singing Sweet Little Sixteen.

Genres: Music, Biography

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly decent chronological biography for a casual fan. Too many typos, though.

[Pete daPixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised to learn that author John Collis is a cricket correspondent for the Guardian newspaper. The image of a gent in straw boater eating cucumber sandwiches and drinking his chardonnay at the Oval, somehow seems incongruous, much too sedate with the image of a rock an' roller. Collis, as well as being a lifelong fan of Berry demonstrates his deep knowledge of the musical heritage of American music, especially the blues. He is an aficionado of the twentieth century music makers, their origins, influences and recordings that gave birth to the pop culture of the 50's.
His biography of Chuck Berry is equally deep in its detail. Tracing his early life in St. Louis, his teenage delinquency and jail, to his recording career at Chess. Without missing a beat, a recording session, a tour or another jail term, it's Rock an' Roll music any old way you choose it.
Sadly over the last five decades there's not much musically to write home about, but John Collis provides a fair and balanced view of the man himself.

[Randolph · Rating 1 out of 5]

Though I understand that Chuck Berry can be an extremely difficult personality, this portrayal of the rock-n-roll legend is nothing short of a hatchet job.

[Alfonso Velez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man oh man, he was trouble. Never did I know he did that much Jail time...