Berry, Charles Edward Anderson “Chuck”
1926-2017 · Contribution: 1955-1958
Musician & Songwriter
Refined rhythm and blues into the defining sound of rock and roll through songs including “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” and “Johnny B. Goode,” earning the title “Father of Rock and Roll” and becoming one of the genre's first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986

Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1926
- Active since
- 1955
- Category
- Arts, Music & Entertainment Tech
- Best known for
- "Johnny B. Goode" & "Maybellene""Father of Rock and Roll"First Rock Hall inductee class
Impact on the world
Berry fused Black rhythm and blues into the blueprint for rock and roll, shaping how the guitar and the pop song would sound for generations. His riffs and storytelling defined the genre.
Sources
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
2 more sources and references are available to members.
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