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Chuck Berry : an American life / by RJ Smith.

Smith, R. J., 1959- (author.).

Summary:
"The definitive biography of Chuck Berry, legendary performer and inventor of rock and roll and author of classics like "Johnny B. Goode," "Maybellene," "You Never Can Tell," and "Roll Over Beethoven." Chuck Berry long ago earned a reputation as a person who gave nothing away. Best known as the groundbreaking innovator of rock and roll and the artist behind classics ranging from "Johnny B. Goode" and "Maybellene" to "You Never Can Tell" and "Roll Over Beethoven," he could be a difficult man to be around off-stage, and was extremely closed off in interviews. There was the work, and then there was the man, who was not easily given to describing the work-and definitely not interested in talking about himself. Though the major events of his life are known and have been described in the hundreds of tributes that marked his passing, the secretive complexity that encapsulated his life and underscored his music has never been fully explored-until now. In Chuck Berry, biographer RJ Smith crafts a comprehensive portrait of one of the great American artists, entertainers, guitarists, and lyricists of the 20th century, bringing Chuck Berry to life in vivid detail. Based on interviews, archival research, legal document analysis, and a deep understanding of Berry's St. Louis (the place where he was born, the place he never left, and the place he died in March 2017), Smith sheds new light on a man that few people have ever really understood. By studying his life, especially within the context of the American culture he made and eventually sought to withdraw from, we better understand how he became such a groundbreaking figure in music, erasing racial boundaries and paying a great price for his success. While celebrating his accomplishments, the book also does not shy away from troubling aspects of his public and private life, and asks profound questions about how and why we separate the art from the artist. Should we? Berry always said that what he did was make money. He often declined to describe himself as an artist only admitting he was good at what he did to get reporters off his back. But the man's artistry was the rarest kind, the kind that had social and political resonance, the kind that made America want to get up and dance. At long last, Chuck Berry brings the man and the music together"-- Provided by publisher.

Record details

  • ISBN: 9780306921636
  • ISBN: 0306921634
  • Physical Description: xvi, 415 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, portraits ; 24 cm
  • Edition: First edition.
  • Publisher: New York : Hachette Books, 2022.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Formatted Contents Note:
Introduction -- The veiled prophet -- Life in the Ville -- California on my mind -- East boogie -- Oh, Maybellene! -- Chessonomics - A harmonious understanding -- It's been here -- Everybody welcome -- "Back in the USA" -- "The Indian girl" -- Is that you? -- "How much do they owe Chuck?" -- Hercules -- Happy days -- Chuck Berry's number-one hit record -- "There are a lot of adolescents on the planet" -- Chuck Berry wants to play with you -- Promised land -- Southern hospitaboo -- Rock star -- The apotheosis of Chuck -- "Make the arts safe again".
Subject: Berry, Chuck.
Rock musicians > United States > Biography.
Rock music > United States > History and criticism.
Genre: Biographies.

Available copies

  • 10 of 10 copies available at SPARK Libraries.

Holds

  • 0 current holds with 10 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
Location Call Number / Copy Notes Barcode Shelving Location Status Due Date
Boyertown Community Library BER (Text) 33249024851119 Biography Available -
Cambria County Library 782.42166 B534S (Text) 85131001852285 CACM Non-Fiction Available -
Mason-Dixon Public Library Adults BERRY Biography (Text) 34262000788089 Reading Room Available -
North Pocono Public Library 92 BERRY (Text) 50691010958325 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Parkland Community Library B BERRY SMI (Text) 34422007202571 Adult Biography Available -
Pottsville Free Public Library 782.42166 B459s (Text)
Bookplate: Presented by Brendan Shearn in memory of Sophia and Edward Shearn
30003009127034 Adult Nonfiction Available -
Whitehall Township Public Library B BERRY, CHUCK SMIT (Text) 36305002969658 Adult Biography Available -
Allentown Public Library 782.42166 SMIT (Text) 34455006952671 Adult Nonfiction 1st FL Available -
Bethlehem Main Library B BERRY (Text) 33062009653875 Adult Biography On Display -
Easton Main Library BERRY (Text) 31901004666634 Adult Biography Available -

Summary: "The definitive biography of Chuck Berry, legendary performer and inventor of rock and roll and author of classics like "Johnny B. Goode," "Maybellene," "You Never Can Tell," and "Roll Over Beethoven." Chuck Berry long ago earned a reputation as a person who gave nothing away. Best known as the groundbreaking innovator of rock and roll and the artist behind classics ranging from "Johnny B. Goode" and "Maybellene" to "You Never Can Tell" and "Roll Over Beethoven," he could be a difficult man to be around off-stage, and was extremely closed off in interviews. There was the work, and then there was the man, who was not easily given to describing the work-and definitely not interested in talking about himself. Though the major events of his life are known and have been described in the hundreds of tributes that marked his passing, the secretive complexity that encapsulated his life and underscored his music has never been fully explored-until now. In Chuck Berry, biographer RJ Smith crafts a comprehensive portrait of one of the great American artists, entertainers, guitarists, and lyricists of the 20th century, bringing Chuck Berry to life in vivid detail. Based on interviews, archival research, legal document analysis, and a deep understanding of Berry's St. Louis (the place where he was born, the place he never left, and the place he died in March 2017), Smith sheds new light on a man that few people have ever really understood. By studying his life, especially within the context of the American culture he made and eventually sought to withdraw from, we better understand how he became such a groundbreaking figure in music, erasing racial boundaries and paying a great price for his success. While celebrating his accomplishments, the book also does not shy away from troubling aspects of his public and private life, and asks profound questions about how and why we separate the art from the artist. Should we? Berry always said that what he did was make money. He often declined to describe himself as an artist only admitting he was good at what he did to get reporters off his back. But the man's artistry was the rarest kind, the kind that had social and political resonance, the kind that made America want to get up and dance. At long last, Chuck Berry brings the man and the music together"--

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