Chuck Berry collapses on keyboard at Congress Theater

[Lithos]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/3119886-418/berry-chicago-theater-based-blues.html

Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famer Chuck Berry collapsed over his keyboards about an hour into his “Winter Dance” show before a standing-room only crowd Saturday night at the Congress Theater.

The 84-year-old Berry’s head lay on a keyboard, and he didn’t move for a couple of minutes before he was helped off stage by three people shortly before 10:30 p.m. He returned 20 minutes later after most of the auditorium had cleared out. He tuned up his guitar and tried to play before telling the audience he had no strength. He then did a variation of his legendary duck walk off stage.

[Odin2005]

1. Oh no!

I hope he's OK! :-(

[old mark]

2. I know he still plays every week at a place in St Louis, and I was just thinking

about him earlier- hope he is going to be OK.

84...try for a few more, Mr. Berry.


mark

[mopinko]

3. how far the mighty have fallen. the rest of the article is sad.

and the congress is a pretty sad joint to be playing.
when someone gets this old, they should have a regular band around them. we saw earl scruggs last year. he is old and frail, but he had his son and long time friends in the band. you felt like they were taking good care of him. life on the road is hard enough when you are young. playing with a pick up band at 84 seems damn lonely to me.
you've worked hard enough there, friend. take it easy.

[MilesColtrane]

4. Chuck has used pickup bands for the last forty years, maybe longer.

Although, I think he's used his son on guitar on some gigs.

Same M.O. for the man. Get paid in advance, show up, play, and leave. No chit chat, and no rehearsal ever.

If you're playing with him you've got to know his songs and you've got to watch him for on-the-fly modifications in the forms.

[MiddleFingerMom]

12. I met a friend of my BIL's who was in the same MBA program at his university.

.
.
.
.
.
.
He was the drummer in one of Chuck Berry's pickup bands in the 70's. I met him
around 1990 and he was working in Marketing at an ad agency in Manhattan,
making several hundred thousand dollars a year.
.
.
.
He told me that sometimes he thought his biggest mistake in life was selling his
drum kit so he could complete his degree program.
.
.
.
He DID say that he never met Chuck. The BAND rehearsed... and Chuck Berry simply
walked onstage when the show began and walked offstage at the end.
.
.
.
I seem to remember Keith Richards HATED working with him in that "tribute to
whatever" show (it might have been to Chuck Berry).
.
.
.
.
.

[MilesColtrane]

13. Rumor has it that in the old days he demanded payment in cash in a brown paper bag before he'd...

step foot on stage.

Now, I think his contract calls for the producer to wire the money directly to his bank a week before the gig.

His agent probably talked to him about the possible pitfalls of an octogenarian walking around with a large sum of cash.

[Dr Morbius]

5. Word today is the old man is feeling better.

He was examined and says he's feeling much better. He is currently undergoing treatment.

I was personally surprised to hear he was still alive, let alone still working. It's hard to believe it, but his day in the spotlight had passed over half a century ago. He's over 80.

Rest, Mr Berry. Not quite ready to tell you to rest in peace, so just... rest for a bit.

[MrMickeysMom]

6. Hugs and light to Mr. Berry...

... plus, my thanks for his never-ending "the show must go on" attitude.

What a legend!

[Gold Metal Flake]

7. He'll soon agian be sporting that shit-eating grin.

[Zorro]

10. Ha ha

Good one.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

8. There's now video on YouTube of him duck-walking off stage afterwards

He says a few words to the audience and then duck walks off (he calls it "my scoot")...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qshDDtdnnJQ

:toast:

[pinboy3niner]

9. Get well soon, Mr. Berry

I was introduced to the music of Chuck Berry by my older brother, who loved to play his 45 of 'School Day' in the late '50s:

School Day by Chuck Berry (March, 1957)

Up in the mornin' and out to school
The teacher is teachin' the golden rule
American history and practical math
You studyin' hard and hopin' to pass
Workin' your fingers right down to the bone
And the guy behind you won't leave you alone

Ring, ring goes the bell
The cook in the lunch room's ready to sell
You're lucky if you can find a seat
You're fortunate if you have time to eat
Back in the classroom, open your books
Keep up the teacher don't know how mean she looks

Soon as three o'clock rolls around
You finally lay your burden down
Close up your books, get out of your seat
Down the halls and into the street
Up to the corner and 'round the bend
Right to the juke joint, you go in

Drop the coin right into the slot
You're gotta hear somethin' that's really hot
With the one you love, you're makin' romance
All day long you been wantin' to dance,
Feeling the music from head to toe
Round and round and round we go

Hail, hail rock and roll
Deliver me from the days of old
Long live rock and roll
The beat of the drums, loud and bold
Rock, rock, rock and roll
The feelin' is there, body and soul.

Chuck Berry, School Day (7:43)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8HPpfqtVPs

Hail, hail Chuck Berry and Rock and Roll!

[senseandsensibility]

11. Perfect meter as always

What a writer. What a performer. Get well, Chuck.