If rock n’ roll has an “inventor,” it’s Chuck Berry. Call him the “architect,” the “real king of rock n’ roll,” the “father of rock n’ roll,” the “father of rock,” “the prototypical guitar god,” “the greatest rock and roll storyteller,” or its “poet laureate” if you will – he was simply the greatest. Of the many tributes to pour in from musicians on social media tonight (collected at the bottom of this page) it’s perhaps Questlove who best summed Chuck’s status in the rock pantheon: “Thou Shall Have No Other Rock Gods Before Him”

"Google, who is the father of rock 'n' roll?" https://t.co/ntT5eDG9oY — Chuck Berry (@ChuckBerry) March 2, 2017

No one recombined all rock’s initial roots – boogie woogie, blues, hillbilly, big band and pre-modern small combo jazz, the Spanish tinge, Western swing, R & B, the traditions of American popular song – as daringly original as Chuck. One of rock’s all time greatest lyricists, showmen and charismatic figures, to even try to define the scope of his influence is to reduce it to cliches. “If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it ‘Chuck Berry'” John Lennon famously said on The Mike Douglas Show, a quote recalled so often its increasing platitudinous undermines its truth. To say he was the teacher and every rock legend you can name was his pupil – or, as Lennon put it in another oft-repeated quote: “Elvis was my idol, Chuck Berry was my teacher” – is trite, but true. From Presley to the who’s who of British Invasion stars, The Beach Boys to the who’s who of Frisco acid rockers, the Electric Light Orchestra to contemporary bluesmen, Bob Dylan to UK punks, Motown to Buck Owens, Jimi Hendrix to Motörhead, The Velvet Underground to Led Zeppelin, Bowie to Springsteen, The New York Dolls to KISS, The MC5 to garage bands everywhere, his impact on rock n’ soul and pazz and jop knows no bounds.

What did Paul Simon and David Gilmour do when they met in 1964? They jammed on Chuck Berry tunes, of course. His music is the thread that ties together the last six decade’s greatest hits; all roads lead to Chuck Berry. But to say this rings of more cliches, albeit more truth. So how then to express his impact without belittling it to stale quotes or stock phrases? To say Berry is rock’s George Washington isn’t hyperbole, it’s understatement. But to define him by the legends he influenced is to miss his unique greatness. His lyrics, vocal delivery, guitar licks, improv, stage moves, rapport with audiences, records and so on would be no less stunning if they didn’t serve as textbook for generations of musicians.

He created the notion of the “guitar hero” both with his genre-bending fretwork creating an arsenal of riffs that has since become rock guitar 101 and his telling of a “country boy named Johnny B. Goode/ Who never ever learned to read or write so well/ But he could play the guitar just like a ringing a bell.” Johnny B. Goode is a Horatio Alger-like character reinvented as rock’s ultimate folk hero in rock’s ultimate rock tale, the template for Ziggy Stardust and all other mythical rock stars to follow. It’s only apt “Johnny B. Goode” was included on the golden record launched into outer space upon the Voyager spaceship in 1977 for the starmen and space beings of the universe to discover there is intelligent life on the third stone from the sun.

But there’s so much more to Chuck’s songbook than his biggest hit, or even all his hits combined. His debut album After School Session alone has more grade A material than many artists’ entire careers. The first rock LP to truly work as an “album” in the contemporary sense – not just a collection of singles with hastily thrown together filler, as was custom in the ’50s – Berry displays his versatile songwriting throughout. From the low down “Wee Wee Hours” and hoochie coochie blues turned car shopping anecdote of “No Money Down,” to the much–copied, proto-punk of “Too Much Monkey Business,” and sly social commentary of “Brown Eyed Handsome Man,” After School Session defined rock n’ roll not as a singular sound but rather by its eclecticism, a trait core to rock’s ensuing evolution. In doing so he liberated rock n’ roll from being a ’50s fad and set the groundwork for it to develop for decades to come. There’s ballads, a jam session in “Roly Poly” and a bit of calypso in “Havana Moon.”

Then there’s “Downbound Train,” possibly the first song ever to begin with a fade-in (contrary to the often repeated claim of The Beatles “Eight Days A Week” – where do you think they got it from?), and an example of Berry’s detailed storytelling so poetic and full of dark, vivid images it’s hard to believe it was written at the same time as any song by any of Chuck’s peers. Consider these few verses for example:

“Rich men in broadcloth, beggars in rags

Handsome young ladies and wicked old hags

As the train rushed on at a terrible pace

Sulphuric fumes scorched their hands and face;

Wider and wider the country grew

Faster and faster the engine flew

Louder and louder the thunder crashed

Brighter and brighter the lightning flashed

Hotter and hotter the air became

Till their clothes were burned and they were screaming with pain;

Then out of the distance there came a yell

‘Ha ha,’ said the devil, ‘We’re nearing home’

Oh how the passengers shrieked with pain

And begged old Satan to stop that train

The stranger awoke with an anguished cry

His clothes wet with sweat and his hair standing high”

And that’s not even considering After School Session’s two pop hits (“School Day” and “Roll Over Beethoven”), any of his brilliant standards to follow (“Rock and Roll Music,” “Almost Grown,” “Back in the U.S.A.,” “Memphis, Tennessee,” “You Never Can Tell,” “Nadine,” and so on) or his many over-looked songs (“Come On,” “Still Got The Blues,” “Dear Dad,” “It Wasn’t Me,” “It’s My Own Business,” “Tulane,” etc).

His command on the stage of the songs, his fellow musicians, the audience in front of him; his mastery of dynamics and time itself; his devotion to playing in the now; the way he physically embodied the music with quirky facial expressions and his trademark moves, most famously the duckwalk. He was simply the greatest. The lyricist to fuse fun with intelligence, the guitarist that schooled all, the band leader that infectiously rubbed straight rhythms against swung notes, the wordsmith that single-handedly advanced rock’s vocabulary, the singer that demanded attention not with range but rather the patter of his voice, the songwriter that wrote about many of rock’s greatest themes first, the “black man playing hillbilly music” for mixed audiences in a time of segregation… the greatest.

Titled Chuck, Berry’s long-awaited final album, his first in four decades, was announced last October on his 90th birthday and is due out later this year. Sadly Berry did not live to see its release. Even though Berry has been working on this record for years – in some ways decades – it takes on new meaning with his passing. What promised to be the triumphant finale of his revolutionary career will now be heard as if an epitaph.

Berry regularly gigged through 2014, though retired from live performance after playing his 200th consecutive monthly show at his St. Louis club that October. Even so, Berry’s bass player for over 40 years Jimmy Marsala told the St Louis Post Dispatch last fall that Berry was still considering gigging. “Let’s go get on the bus and kick some ass like we used to,’” Berry said to him.

As icon after icon passed away in 2016 while Chuck Berry went on to celebrate his 90th birthday with an announcement of a new album, it seemed like he might live forever. Alas, he’s mortal after all. But his songs….

Hail hail rock n’ roll! Chuck Berry’s music will – as Carl Sagan once pointed out – literally last forever, or at least a billion years.

Musicians React

"Chuck Berry songs, fool." — Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) March 18, 2017

RIP Chuck Berry pic.twitter.com/cnI9xGIjfj — Ryan Adams (@TheRyanAdams) March 18, 2017

American pop music as an art form doesn't exist without #ChuckBerry. he is the ultimate GOAT. True legend. Rest In Peace, MrRocknRoll. — ClaudeHaveMercy! (@ClaudeKelly) March 18, 2017

Wow. RIP to Chuck Berry. My dad would tell you he was the real King of Rock N Roll. Thanks for the great music and inspiration. pic.twitter.com/qiIMySIAJB — Kenny Wayne Shepherd (@KWShepherd) March 18, 2017

#RIPChuckBerry. Definition of musical legend. Thanks for rock 'n roll. 🙌🙌🙌🔥 — OneRepublic (@OneRepublic) March 18, 2017

Damn. Rest In Peace Chuck Berry. There would be no rock and roll without you. Thanks captain, enjoy whatever's next. 🙏🏻🤘🏻 — Twin Peaks (@TwinPeaksDudes) March 18, 2017

So sad to share the news of the exceptional Chuck Berry's passing…RIP Chuck…

XX pic.twitter.com/VaEnd3vPc3 — David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) March 18, 2017

He changed the world. He wrote the book. Low Cut Connie will do all we can to keep the spirit alive. RIP Chuck, we love you. — Low Cut Connie (@LowCutConnie) March 18, 2017

R.I.P. Chuck Berry — Joe Satriani (@chickenfootjoe) March 18, 2017

RIP to a hero in music and a hero in life. chuck berry is one of the most important guitar players in rock n roll history. thank you. — SWMRS (@swmrs) March 18, 2017

RIP Chuck Berryhttps://t.co/9MoHHXnxD7 — Carole King (@Carole_King) March 18, 2017

Rest in Peace Mr. Chuck Berry. Often imitated but never duplicated. #legends — Sir Mix-A-Lot (@therealmix) March 18, 2017

Wow. Huge. Rest In Peace Chuck Berry — Delicate Steve (@delicatesteve) March 18, 2017

He had a gtr style that influenced so many generations of players. Oh yes and how to write a great RnR song. Rest in peace dear Chuck https://t.co/bWQogYSyqw — Peter Frampton (@peterframpton) March 18, 2017

Chuck Berry merged blues & swing into the phenomenon of early rock’n’roll. In music, he cast one of the longest shadows. Thank You Chuck. pic.twitter.com/0TwpdDmw9e — The Jacksons (@Jacksons) March 18, 2017

Omg rip chuck berry. Fucking idol. Rock n roll would b nothing without u — roes (@AngelHaze) March 18, 2017

RIP Chuck Berry !!!! Thank you for the poetry, the passion and the potency! GO JOHNNY GO. – KU — Keith Urban (@KeithUrban) March 18, 2017

Chuck Berry. Maybe the most important figure in all of rock and roll. His music and his influence will last forever. – Huey — Huey Lewis (@Huey_Lewis_News) March 18, 2017

Deeply saddened to just hear of the passing of one of The Beach Boys' biggest influences EVER. RIP Chuck Berry https://t.co/DXSahbXhPl — Al Jardine (@ALANJARDINE) March 18, 2017

Rock & Roll just lost Dad. — Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) March 18, 2017

R I P Chuck Berry … — Chuck D (@MrChuckD) March 18, 2017

RIP #ChuckBerry He is the reason. He made it look fun. He made it possible. Thank you!https://t.co/oRfX9mMBEw "gone like a cool breeze" — Living Colour (@LivingColour) March 18, 2017

Guitar playing.

Songwriting

Stagecraft

ALL OF IT.

Chuck

Berry

🌹 — Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) March 18, 2017

Goodbye sir. Thank you for your big idea. It changed the way my heart feels the beat. #ChuckBerry #RIP pic.twitter.com/qb5USm85vY — Kristian Bush (@kristianbush) March 18, 2017

Chuck Berry invented (or at least personified) rock + roll in the minds of many. First rock + roller to to make it to 90. Well done. — Carl Newman (@ACNewman) March 18, 2017

Rest in Peace Chuck Berry. More than just a guitarist, he was the first rock-n-roll poet. Magic! https://t.co/LqSorPYoCe — Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) March 19, 2017

how to perform on stage:https://t.co/8EuQ425jlC — Deerhoof (@deerhoof) March 18, 2017

Legend. Icon. We will miss and always remember you #CHUCKBERRY. pic.twitter.com/vN52pjVtTV — The Band Perry (@thebandperry) March 18, 2017

Chuck Berry died March 18, 2017. His music unhinged America, and doors flew open. Rock on! https://t.co/X7hcXJT8N6 pic.twitter.com/lFrdcCe41x — Van Dyke Parks (@thevandykeparks) March 18, 2017

Chuck Berry.

Mad.

BAD.

& DANGEROUS

To

Know — Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) March 18, 2017

R I P. And peace and love Chuck Berry Mr. rock 'n' roll music 😎✌️🌟💖🎵🎶☮ pic.twitter.com/hS2S2lUORf — #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) March 18, 2017

The great #ChuckBerry is gone. A true musical pioneer, and what a life he led. Goodbye and thank you for the rocking good times. — Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) March 19, 2017

BBC News – Rock and roll legend Chuck Berry dies https://t.co/88aelm84k8 CHUCK BERRY ; HE GAVE US EVERYTHING …… — Andrew Loog Oldham (@loogoldham) March 19, 2017

https://twitter.com/vincestaples/status/843234722461470721

RIP Chuck Berry. We owe you so much. — Xtheband (@Xtheband) March 18, 2017

I wanted to be this man when I was 7, still do. First performance I ever saw and he blew me away #chuckberry 🎸 pic.twitter.com/Pab6j8fWY1 — LA ROUX (@larouxofficial) March 18, 2017

The greatest rock and roll lyricist ever has passed away at 90

Chuck Berry rest in peace. — Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) March 18, 2017

thank you chuck berry — Spin Doctors (@SpinDoctorsBand) March 18, 2017

Chuck Berry one if the most important architects of rock and roll has left us. RIP Mr Berry, a true legend — Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) March 18, 2017

A beautiful, meditative Chuck Berry cover by Sandy Bull. RIP to rock&roll's DNA. https://t.co/kFuKazQGS7 — Okkervil River (@okkervilriver) March 18, 2017

https://twitter.com/QtipTheAbstract/status/843239696960569345

So sad to say goodbye to #ChuckBerry. "Roll over Beethoven tell Tchaikovsky the news…" #RockAndRoll pic.twitter.com/SAiWJIbiTK — Melissa Etheridge (@metheridge) March 18, 2017

I am so sad to hear about Chuck Berry passing – a big inspiration! He will be missed by everyone who loves Rock 'n Roll. Love & Mercy — Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) March 18, 2017

I met Chuck Berry in 2011, wished him happy birthday. He said, “May you live to be 100, and may I never die,” and laughed uproariously.

RIP — Rhett Miller (@rhettmiller) March 18, 2017

RIP Chuck Berry — Lifehouse (@lifehouse) March 18, 2017

RIP CHUCK BERRY. Truly a cornerstone of all that is, was and will be Rock and Roll. An icon like few others. https://t.co/4xdwGAOSDs — Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) March 18, 2017

This is a tremendous loss of a giant for the ages. -Bruce Springsteen — Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) March 18, 2017

The Rolling Stones are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Chuck Berry. He was a true pioneer of rock'n'roll & a massive influence. pic.twitter.com/RT4NZH3KeQ — The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) March 18, 2017

Chuck Berry was not only a brilliant guitarist, singer and performer, but most importantly, he was a master craftsman as a songwriter. 2/3 — The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) March 18, 2017

Chuck Berry's songs will live forever 3/3https://t.co/hS7mrZCyNZ pic.twitter.com/ImNKAHZWiX — The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) March 18, 2017

Oh no #RIP Chuck Berry. King of rock n roll and one of the greatest lyricists of all time! Thank you for everything! — Nicole Atkins (@NicoleAtkins) March 18, 2017

My profound respect and admiration to one of the founding fathers of rock and roll, who sadly passed today — the late, great CHUCK BERRY — Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) March 18, 2017

It started with Chuck Berry. He inspired us all. The 1st album I bought was Chuck's "Live at the Tivoli" and I was never the same. — Sir Rod Stewart (@rodstewart) March 18, 2017

I am so sad to hear of Chuck Berry's passing. I want to thank him for all the inspirational music he gave to us. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/9zQbH5bo9V — Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) March 18, 2017

He lit up our teenage years, and blew life into our dreams of being musicians and performers. 2/3 #ChuckBerry — Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) March 18, 2017

His lyrics shone above others & threw a strange light on the American dream. Chuck you were amazing&your music is engraved inside us forever — Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) March 18, 2017

So sad ~ with the passing of Chuck Berry comes the end of an era 🙏. He was one of the best and my inspiration 🎸, a true character indeed. pic.twitter.com/OnT8YXZpPn — Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) March 18, 2017

Chuck Berry forever r.i.p. ❤ — reggie watts (@reggiewatts) March 19, 2017

https://t.co/7KHYVMA3UR RIP Chuck Berry, one of the most innovative musicians of all time! — The Strypes (@The_Strypes) March 19, 2017

The architect….R.I.P. Chuck Berry — Psychedelic Furs (@pfurs) March 19, 2017

#RIP to one of rock 'n’ roll’s biggest innovators and a huge influence on The Doors, Chuck Berry. https://t.co/a5W2W8UzYS — The Doors (@TheDoors) March 19, 2017

RIP – A true rock & roller. Chuck Berry – Johnny B. Goode (Live 1958) https://t.co/U8ViWflebk via @YouTube — Jimmy Chamberlin (@jccomplex) March 19, 2017

rip chuck — hippo campus (@thehalocline) March 19, 2017

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRzCEctlHG0/

"One of my big lights has gone out.”

– Keith, 3/18/17 pic.twitter.com/I86dHlvN5W — Keith Richards (@officialKeef) March 19, 2017

Keith and Chuck, 1969 (Photo: Ethan Russell) pic.twitter.com/bKpsxIBlsr — Keith Richards (@officialKeef) March 19, 2017

Man, even at the end he was a pioneer. A rock n roller who made it to 90! RIP the great #ChuckBerry #Legend — Tommy Igoe (@TommyIgoe) March 19, 2017

Elvis is the king? Well here's the God https://t.co/XhWQaToDtY via @youtube — FAKE NEWDS (@CHIRPENDALE) March 19, 2017

RIP Chuck Berry pic.twitter.com/4nyUSNK9T7 — Joe Perry (@JoePerry) March 19, 2017

RIP Chuck Berry. One of my early concerts as a teen was seeing you. I was awed then and that feeling has never waned. — Duff McKagan (@DuffMcKagan) March 19, 2017

RIP King Of Rock And Roll Mr Chuck Berry. On Behalf of @PublicEnemyFTP and @prophetsofrage it was fitting for me to salute with this Art pic.twitter.com/pTJpAfO9Qa — Chuck D (@MrChuckD) March 19, 2017

RIP King Of Rock And Roll Mr Chuck Berry. On Behalf of @PublicEnemyFTP and @prophetsofrage it was fitting for me to salute with this Art too pic.twitter.com/V5M7WastL5 — Chuck D (@MrChuckD) March 19, 2017

if Chuck Berry was in a deck of cards he would be the Joker. The ultimate wildcard. — Chuck Prophet (@ChuckProphet) March 19, 2017

Rest In Peace Chuck Berry pic.twitter.com/mBIVYnOaCu — Tom Petty (@tompetty) March 19, 2017

https://twitter.com/UMO/status/843269608333225984

Chuck Berry, rock 'n' roll pioneer, dead at 90 https://t.co/CpqBOpLN0t — Joan Osborne (@joan_osborne) March 19, 2017

He was the first great chronicler of Rock & Roll. His guitar lit the way. EVERY guitarist in Rock, from Shoe Gaze to Death Metal OWES him. https://t.co/LKQ6b9s6ql — Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) March 19, 2017

RIP Chuck Berry My profound respect and admiration to one of the founding fathers of rock and… https://t.co/DVKFM4nofM — Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) March 19, 2017

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRzZrwLBe2G/

RIP Chuck Berry … https://t.co/pHcFj295uP — Micky Dolenz (@TheMickyDolenz1) March 19, 2017

My earliest musical memories are of listening to Chuck Berry with my father. Thanks for the music #ChuckBerry — Krist Novoselić (@KristNovoselic) March 19, 2017

https://twitter.com/UMO/status/843297177657004032

One of my favorite #ChuckBerry classics. RIP https://t.co/fZ86WU3T0Q — Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) March 19, 2017

Love me some Chuck Berry!!! — Obituary (@obituarytheband) March 19, 2017

https://twitter.com/ToroyMoi/status/843321680252493824



RIP #ChuckBerry, the genesis behind the great sound of rock n roll. All of us in rock have now lost our father. pic.twitter.com/VazeRI4VvM — Alice Cooper (@alicecooper) March 19, 2017

RIP the legend Chuck Berry. We will miss you so much. #ChuckBerry pic.twitter.com/qNhE09QOPT — WHITESNAKE (@whitesnakeblog) March 19, 2017

RIP Chuck 🐝 — ⚡️ Danny Graham ⚡️ (@thegoldendove) March 19, 2017

ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN: Chuck Berry – "the father of rock n roll" died last night. I am sure you will already have… https://t.co/z0jay4wfxs — Simple Minds (@simplemindscom) March 19, 2017

Journalists are getting it wrong #ChuckBerry didn't help define or was part of the fabric: he literally was THE STANDARD of rock n roll. — T'Questlove (@questlove) March 19, 2017

Chuck Berry IS rock and roll!

It's sad day for rock and roll, but his music will live on forever.

Hail, hail rock and roll!!!!! pic.twitter.com/ANCkKaglQW — AC/DC (@acdc) March 19, 2017

Game changer, rock n roll poet, guitar master: RIP Chuck Berry — Tom Jones (@RealSirTomJones) March 19, 2017

You know that joke in Back To The Future where Michael J Fox supposedly influences Chuck Berry? Everybody laughed but me. I was like 😡🙄😒. — Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) March 19, 2017

The music of the great Chuck Berry in the 1950's made a huge impression on my generation of young English musicians. — Dave Holland (@TheDaveHolland) March 19, 2017

For Chuck Berry, who "never stopped rocking till the moon went down…" We are forever Grateful. #ChuckBerry pic.twitter.com/l6aKhbDWb8 — Grateful Dead (@GratefulDead) March 19, 2017

Chuck Berry was not only Rock's 1st guitar player and best storyteller he was Rock's 1st advocate. 1st missionary for my religion-Rock&Roll. — Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) March 19, 2017

The song that best represents him is School Day(s). He elevates a typical day in teenage life ending it with liberation, Hail! Hail! R&R! https://t.co/WTT85D3qvU — Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) March 19, 2017

https://twitter.com/IzzyStradlin999/status/843506358020321281

Here's one memory of Chuck I'd like to share. There I was at a breakfast event at The Hard Rock Cafe in the early '90's. It was a buffet… — Max Weinberg (@EStreetMax) March 19, 2017

I got my eggs + bagel and took a seat at an empty table. Who should sit down with me but Chuck Berry and Little Richard. My jaw dropped… — Max Weinberg (@EStreetMax) March 19, 2017

(full of eggs+bagel!) and proceeded to have the most pleasant conversation with Chuck and Richard–they mostly reminiscing. I had the chance — Max Weinberg (@EStreetMax) March 19, 2017

to ask all the questions I ever wanted from two of my heroes. I got all the answers I ever wanted. The reply I received to the question… — Max Weinberg (@EStreetMax) March 19, 2017

"Chuck–why did you always play with pickup bands?" always stayed with me. For all of Chuck's bravado + self-regard (deservedly) his reply — Max Weinberg (@EStreetMax) March 19, 2017

spoken with clear sincerity "…so players all over the world could one day say they played some Chuck Berry music with Chuck Berry" — Max Weinberg (@EStreetMax) March 19, 2017

RIP Chuck Berry pic.twitter.com/nkGQIHYXVF — Cass McCombs (@cassmccombs) March 19, 2017

RIP @ChuckBerry-inspiration to The Beatles. John,1970 ”We all owe a lot to him.” Paul,2016 “one of greatest poets America has ever produced” pic.twitter.com/Yl9oZrP1Kq — The Beatles (@thebeatles) March 19, 2017

https://twitter.com/jerrygarcia/status/843537245055455234

Sad day: Chuck Berry’s dead. I saw him once, In a club in London; watched him dance as he played. God bless you for all the love you gave pic.twitter.com/wx03BFnPB1 — Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) March 19, 2017

It was good to play Tribute last night for the memory of Chuck Berry. My dad's 45s of his were my first inspiration. — Nick Hexum (@NickHexum) March 19, 2017

In Sick Tight (written in 2000) when I say "2 score and 5" I'm taking about 45 yrs since Chuck and Elvis started the train that lead to us. — Nick Hexum (@NickHexum) March 19, 2017

Rock N Roll should be called CHUCK BERRY, RIP the Legend#RIPChuckBerry pic.twitter.com/buDX4jOHaU — Raphael Saadiq (@RaphaelSaadiq) March 19, 2017

I'd gladly love to be known as that. I own one of his former guitars. Bought because I loved it, but mainly because I love #ChuckBerry #RIP https://t.co/dNhV08Qrxg — Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) March 19, 2017

I loved Chuck Berry's lyrics. As a young girl getting ready to go to school, I always had the radio on. I would… https://t.co/Aqv7JFuEta — Ronnie Spector (@RonnieSpectorGS) March 19, 2017

An old live recording of Johnny B Goode from '89 https://t.co/5a4a4NQ6xj

still shocked he's gone

RIP #ChuckBerry — Living Colour (@LivingColour) March 19, 2017

Brian with Chuck Berry, Kona Hawaii July 4, 2008 #rocknroll pic.twitter.com/RZFhlsdn0o — Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) March 20, 2017