Chuck Berry

[TUalum0982]

Chuck Berry is performing tonight at the ORU Mabee Center.  Anyone going? He is scheduled to arrive at the airport around 430 this afternoon!

[rwarn17588]

I've seen him about a half-dozen times at Blueberry Hill in St. Louis. He has a monthly gig there, and ticket prices are always reasonable, about $20.

It's nice to see him perform in a small-club setting with family members -- his daughter is a very good singer and blues harmonica player. And many of the kids and grandkids show up to watch, too. So his spirits at those shows are usually always good.

About twice a year, his longtime pianist Johnny Johnson showed up at those gigs with him to jam. But Johnny died a couple of years ago.

Chuck doesn't travel with a band, so it's dicey on how good the gig at Mabee will be. If it's a good band that's been assembled, it'll kick him in the butt a bit and raise his performance level. If not, he may just go through the motions. Fair warning.

But he is an honest-to-goodness rock 'n' roll legend. I feel privileged to have seen him, and you can see how his guitar-playing influenced an army of rockers, including Keith Richards. And, finally, he's a remarkably trim and energetic performer for being in his 80s.