Given the times we are living in with the whole ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement, it is once again fitting that we have a documentary focusing on one of the true black pioneers of twentieth century music who reminds us of where we were at some point in the curve.
The brand-new documentary from Jon Brewer, CHUCK BERRY, attempts in linear form to piece together and celebrate the challenges, life and legacy of the man who has been credited as not only launching the Rock And Roll revolution that spawned the likes of Elvis, The Beatles and Bruce Springsteen, but effectively gave a voice to a generation of youth that became known as ‘Juvenile Delinquents’ and ‘Teenagers’
Chuck Berry was very much rooted in an upbringing of extreme prejudice towards diversity and minorities and ended up before his teens were up in prison, but upon release he embarked on a journey that would take him to the heights beyond the earthenwood and evergreens to the top of the charts with the likes of MY DING-A-LING, MAYBELINE and two tracks that would be immortalised on film through BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985) and PULP FICTION (1994) with JOHNNY B. GOODE and YOU NEVER CAN TELL.
Featuring interviews with the likes of Gene Simmons (KISS), George Thorogood (BAD TO THE BONE, immortalised in CHRISTINE (1983) and T2 (1991), ‘Little’ Steve Van Zandt and Nils Lofgren (Springsteen’s E. Street Band) and Alice Cooper, the film bristles with energy and reflection on how this temperamental genius would ultimately find his way back into the cultural vogue thanks to the very people he influenced.
There is an amusing anecdote about the fact that the guitar Michael J. Fox played on stage in BACK TO THE FUTURE came out three years after the film’s setting (1955, rather than 1958) and the trademark Berry ‘Duck Walk’ actually came out of the classic ‘Mirror Scene’ from the Marx Brothers comedy classic DUCK SOUP.
There are interviews with his widow and children, plus numerous archive reminiscences from key artists and contributors, plus a fair amount of music performances and some archive interviews with Berry.
It’s a interesting collection and reflection that will certainly appeal to core fans of vintage rock and roll, but will at least remind people that the movies that immortalised him were just an introduction to the hard-won appreciation and influence that Chuck Berry had.
It’s definitely time to bring out your six-strings and play along to those classic riffs. A joyful experience.
