Charles Edward Anderson Berry, better known as Chuck Berry, was born on October 18, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri, and passed away on March 18, 2017, in Wentzville, Missouri. A true rock’n’roll pioneer, he laid the foundations of the genre with his iconic guitar riffs, witty lyrics, and explosive stage energy.

From the 1950s onward, songs like Maybellene (1955), Roll Over Beethoven, Johnny B. Goode, and Sweet Little Sixteen became timeless classics, covered and celebrated by generations of artists, from The Beatles to AC/DC. Chuck Berry embodied the essence of rock itself — freedom, rhythm, and rebellion. His legendary duckwalk and cutting guitar tone revolutionized popular music forever.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at its inception in 1986, he left an immense musical and cultural legacy. His blend of blues and rock continues to inspire anyone who picks up a guitar to tell a story with three chords and a whole lot of attitude.

On MusikMachine, you can find a stunning black and white photograph of Chuck Berry, capturing the raw stage power of the rock’n’roll master — an eternal visual tribute to collect or frame 🎸

To explore more of the roots of rock’n’roll, dive into our Rock collection featuring other legendary icons like Elvis Presley and Bill Haley.