Chuck Berry

What if a single guitar riff could change the way people danced? That’s what Chuck Berry did. Born in 1926 and rising to fame in the 1950s, Chuck Berry is often called the 'father of rock and roll.' His bright, bouncy guitar riffs and clever songs about cars, school and young love helped create a brand-new sound called rock and roll.

He wrote hits like 'Maybellene,' 'Roll Over Beethoven,' and 'Johnny B. Goode.' Those songs used short, memorable guitar lines that other musicians learned from and copied.

On stage, Chuck's playful steps — the famous 'duck walk' — made his shows fun and full of energy. He mixed African-American blues with country rhythms and storytelling in a way that sounded fresh and exciting.

The single most important thing Chuck did was show how a guitar and a good song could start a musical revolution. His music taught future stars — bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones — how to write guitar-based songs and perform with showmanship.

His tunes are still played today, and many young guitar players learn to play his riffs as a first lesson. In one minute: Chuck Berry turned simple guitar sounds and everyday stories into the foundation of rock music that millions of people love.