Remembering Chuck Berry
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Chuck Berry the father of Rock And Roll music died on 18th March at his home in St. Louis, Missouri in the US. He was a legend, an Icon of the industry who on his 90th birthday, 18th October last year announced plans to release an album called ‘Chuck’ this year. It was to contain several new songs written by the icon and was to be dedicated to his wife Themetta. It was to be his first new album in 38 years.Berry blended and improvised Country music with the Blues into what is called Rock And Roll. He inspired many new groups and artists in the late 50’s and 60’s such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, Sir Cliff Richard and Eric Clapton, who have become legends or icons in their own right. His first hit song was ‘Maybellene’ in 1955, followed by ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ 1956, ‘Rock And Roll Music’ 1957, ‘Johnny B.Goode’ and ‘Sweet Little Sixteen’ 1958. The Beatles globalised his music with their interpretation in the 60’s. While Chuck’s appeal was wide, he achieved just one No: 1 song with ‘My Dig – A – Ling’ in 1972 in the US, Canada and the UK. Berry’s guitar licks would work up audiences along with his trademark duck walk on stage. Berry released 18 albums, and 45 singles.
In recent years Berry seemed to be performing with difficulty as with advancing years.
He was recipient of many awards and honours among them the Polar Music Award -2014, PEN Literary Award -2012, BMI Icon Award – 2002 and the Kennedy Centre Honour – 2000.
The man still very much in control of the top rung of the UK singles chart is Ed Sheeran. His song ‘Shape Of You’ clocked up another week taking a total of 10 weeks at the No: 1 spot with combined sales of 106,000 copies. At the No: 3 spot is his song ‘Galway Girl’ which is now officially the third release from his new album. The song as the title suggests has a very Irish feel and features the Irish group Beoga and parts of their song ‘Minute 5’ on ‘Galway Girl’. Once again Sheeran dominates the top 10 with nine of the 10 songs. His album ‘÷’ is also top of the UK album chart for a second week. Critics have meanwhile lamented that Sheeran has killed the chart.
Zayn Malik is making a new album according to reports from the UK. The former One Direction member has confirmed work is in progress which will be a follow up to his debut album ‘Mind Of Mine’ which spawned the chart topping song ‘Pillowtalk’. His current hit is ‘I Don’t Wanna Live Forever’, a duet with Taylor Swift from the film soundtrack Fifty Shades Darker
A pop star of yesteryear Dame Vera Lynn celebrated her 100 birthday on 20th March. She was known as “the Soldiers Sweet Heart” for Allied troops during World War II. Two of her famous songs were ‘White Cliffs Of Dover’, and ‘We’ll Meet Again’. Her album ‘Vera Lynn 100’ was released on March 17.
| UK TOP 10 TW LW 1 1 Shape Of You – Ed Sheeran |