Chuck Berry remains an influential figure and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music who first began performing in 1953. Cub Koda wrote, "Of all the early breakthrough rock & roll artists, none is more important to the development of the music than Chuck Berry. He is its greatest songwriter, the main shaper of its instrumental voice, one of its greatest guitarists, and one of its greatest performers." John Lennon was more succinct: "If you tried to give rock and roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry'."
Berry was among the first musicians to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on its opening in 1986. He received Kennedy Center Honors in 2000 in a "class" with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Plácido Domingo, Angela Lansbury, and Clint Eastwood. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Chuck Berry #5 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. He was also ranked 6th on Rolling Stone's Rolling Stone's 100 greatest guitarists of All Time.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included three of Chuck Berry's songs (Johnny B. Goode, Maybellene, Rock & Roll Music), of the 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll.
Chuck Berry held a special place, in terms of sound development, in the formation of, Mersey-Beat at Liverpool.
The finest exponent of Chuck Berry, guitar, sound at Liverpool during 1959 to 1963, was Vincent Tow/Ismail, who in turn passed on many of the learned skills to Lennon & McCartney, his friends and colleagues during that period--1959 to 1962/3.
Chuck Berry also influenced many of the great rock 'n' roll bands that we know today including The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.
Festival
Chuck Berry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ah, there's fifty four bands on a river boat spot in the lights
Hundred of bands and tents all on the banks of the Ohio
Bandstands floatin' from Paducah to Cairo
Be over a million freaks there diggin' the sights
There's so many beautiful people there to love and cheer
Some of the greatest guitar playin' in the western hemisphere
The Fifth Dimension, Creedence Clearwater
Oh, brother Hendrix, sister Joplin, we wish you were here
Early in the mornin' Johnny Cash and old Elvis got loose
The Who, Vanilla Fudge and the Woolies start paying their dues
All evening Ike Turner and Aretha right on the Drifters
And the Coasters and the Loading Zone
All night Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters in a battlin' mood
Oh, what a beautiful show, was sitting right up under the microphone
Diggin' the Grateful Dead, Little Richard and the Rolling Stones
Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin and the Everly Brothers
Bad Bo Diddley and the Beatles and some others
Everybody's laying back and freaking out all week long
Chuck Berry's "Festival" is a song that tells the story of a nationwide fourteen-day festival happening along the banks of the Ohio river. The festival is buzzing with activity as it features hundreds of bands playing on bandstands that are floating from Paducah to Cairo. The song is filled with excitement and anticipation as the lyrics describe the arrival of the biggest names in music, including The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and more. The festival is expected to draw over a million music lovers who are ready to enjoy two weeks of non-stop music.
The song also describes the performances of various bands and musicians. Early in the morning, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley hit the stage, followed by numerous other bands such as The Who, Vanilla Fudge, and The Woolies, who start "paying their dues." Ike Turner, Aretha Franklin, The Drifters, The Coasters, and The Loading Zone also take the stage, entertaining the crowd with their music. Later in the evening, Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters engage in their own "battling" as they perform for the crowd.
Overall, the song is a celebration of music, art, and freedom. It's a story of a unique festival that brings people from all walks of life together to experience the joys of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Havin' a nationwide festival for fourteen days and nights
The festival will be running for two weeks, featuring bands from all over the country.
Ah, there's fifty four bands on a river boat spot in the lights
There are fifty-four bands performing on a river boat under bright spotlights, adding to the festival's lively atmosphere.
Hundred of bands and tents all on the banks of the Ohio
The festival features hundreds of bands and tents set up along the Ohio River.
Bandstands floatin' from Paducah to Cairo
The festival has bandstands that are placed on rafts or boats and move from Paducah to Cairo along the river.
Be over a million freaks there diggin' the sights
The festival is expected to be attended by over one million people who will enjoy the sights and sounds of the event.
There's so many beautiful people there to love and cheer
There will be a large crowd of beautiful people present at the festival who will cheer and show their support.
Some of the greatest guitar playin' in the western hemisphere
The festival will have some of the best guitar playing from across the western hemisphere.
Got the Who, the Band from across the north border Canned Heat
Band line-up includes The Who, The Band from across the northern border and Canned Heat.
The Fifth Dimension, Creedence Clearwater
The Fifth Dimension and Creedence Clearwater are included in the festival's lineup.
Oh, brother Hendrix, sister Joplin, we wish you were here
Chuck Berry expresses his wish that Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin could also be present to perform at the festival.
Early in the mornin' Johnny Cash and old Elvis got loose
Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley had started performing early in the morning and had great performances.
The Who, Vanilla Fudge and the Woolies start paying their dues
The Who, Vanilla Fudge and the Woolies start performing and impressing the audience.
All evening Ike Turner and Aretha right on the Drifters
Ike Turner and Aretha perform alongside the Drifters, putting on a great show in the evening.
And the Coasters and the Loading Zone
The Coasters and the Loading Zone also perform and entertain the crowd.
All night Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters in a battlin' mood
Throughout the night, Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters perform in a competitive mood, impressing the audience.
Oh, what a beautiful show, was sitting right up under the microphone
Chuck Berry describes how he enjoyed his time sitting near the microphone and listening to the performances of various bands.
Diggin' the Grateful Dead, Little Richard and the Rolling Stones
Chuck Berry enjoyed the performances of the Grateful Dead, Little Richard and the Rolling Stones.
Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin and the Everly Brothers
The festival also featured great performances by Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin and Everly Brothers.
Bad Bo Diddley and the Beatles and some others
Other acts, including Bo Diddley and the Beatles, also put on great performances at the festival.
Everybody's laying back and freaking out all week long
Throughout the week, everyone at the festival was relaxed and enjoying the incredible music and atmosphere.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CHUCK BERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jack
on Little Marie (Alternate)
Yes, oh yes, Long Distance, I'll accept the charge, I'll pay
Which love one is calling me, I did not hear you say.
Both are deep within my hearth, her Mom and my Marie
It so good to hear your voice from Memphis, Tennessee
Oh, you mean so much to me, more than you'll ever know,
Surely, you have not forgot how much I love you so
If you would remember, Dear, and sometimes talk to me
Maybe that would reunite our home in Tennessee.
Last time I saw you, just before I had to leave
You did not want to see me off and promised not to grieve,
My hearth was tore apart as I looked back at my Marie
And there the peace is still remain with you in Tennessee.
I guess I should stop talking, after all you placed the call
But anyway that I can help, you know I'll help you all
Then she spoke and asked me to come back and see Marie
And live together in our home in Memphis, Tennessee.