Chuck Berry celebrates his 90th birthday in convincing fashion, announcing the release of his new album “Chuck,” the rock n' roll artist's first new album in nearly 40 years.
Berry, a pioneer in music for more than 60 years, has paved the way for many rock stars as a singer, songwriter, guitarist and performer, The Los Angeles Times noted.
“This record is dedicated to my beloved Toddy,” Berry said, using the nickname for his wife of 68 years, Themetta Berry. “My darlin’ I’m growing old! I’ve worked on this record for a long time. Now I can hang up my shoes!”
The album, set to be released via Dualtone Records sometime in 2017, is said to be primarily made up of new and original songs that have been written, recorded and produced by Berry, according to Billboard.
“It is a great honor to be a part of this record and the broader legacy of Chuck Berry,” said Paul Roper, president of Dualtone Records, per the Times. “This body of work stands with the best of his career and will further cement Chuck as one of the greatest icons of rock and roll.”
In 2012, during a tribute concert at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Berry hinted at the new album, saying that he had several songs from 20 years ago that he had yet to release, Billboard noted.
“And as soon as I can get someone to guide me – and I do know a little about the business – I want to push them out,” he said about the unreleased songs. “I’m going to come back and push them out if you know what I mean, somehow.”
According to NPR, “Chuck” features a hometown band that includes Berry’s children Charles Berry Jr., on the guitar, and Ingrid Berry, on harmonica.
After Berry was introduced to Leonard Chess, the head of Chess Records, in the summer of 1955, the label released what many claimed to be their first rock and roll record, Chuck Berry’s “Maybellene,” NPR noted.
“Maybellene” ended up selling over a million copies, which started Berry’s legacy – a musical legacy of “songs, solos and showmanship.”
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