Chuck Berry is one of the most influential artists in the history of rock & roll. In addition
to the songs, there is the guitar style. Every rock guitarist learns to play Johnny.B.Goode!
But what about his guitar style? There are three areas:
-
The intros - typically like Johnny.B.Goode. It has been suggested that this
pattern was created by Chuck's one-time pianist
Johnny Johnson
-
The accompanyment whilst singing - this is a standard blues riff
-
The solos - typically as in Johnny.B.Goode. I thought that this kind of solo was totally original, but
recently, I was listening to some old Sonny Boy Williamson (II) albums - in particular
'King Biscuit Time' recorded in 1951. There is a track called 'Stop Now Baby' with
Joe Willie Wilkins on lead guitar.
Here is an extract from the second instrumental break.
Chuck Berry - yes?
Johnny.B.Goode was written in 1955 and released in 1958.
dollarrule
The
Trail of the Hellhound site has info on Joe, plus other delta blues musicians.