Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Series: Chuck Berry Quiz

Answer: St. Louis

Charles Edward Anderson Berry was born in St. Louis, MO. Berry was a bright student who loved poetry, a love that fueled some of the most creative hits in rock and roll music.

Answer: Maybelline

On May 21, 1955, Chuck Berry took the old hillbilly standard, "Ida Red", made a few changes to it and the classic "Maybelline" was born. "Maybelline" was recorded on Chess Records at the same time that Bo Diddley's "Bo Diddley" was recorded, although the Diddley track was moved to the partner label, Checker Records.

Answer: Alan Freed

Alan Freed was involved in a huge payola scandal that ended his run as the most successful disc jockeys of his era. Freed received song writing credits, which resulted in payouts, for songs that he played over the radio and at dances. Freed is probably the first person to use the phrase "rock and roll".

Answer: Johnnie Johnson

Johnnie Johnson was the bandleader of the small combo that Berry joined in 1954. It didn't take long for Berry to take over and the combo became the Chuck Berry Trio. The band played every St. Louis night club possible. The only band that put up much competition was Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm.

The Chuck Berry Trio soon became the house band at the Cosmopolitan Club, making way for huge popularity. The song "Johnny B. Goode" is written for and about Johnson.

Answer: My Ding-a-Ling

It wasn't until October of 1972 when Chuck Berry had his first chart topper. The song was originally recorded as "My Tambourine" in 1958. It took the 1970's love for novelty music to see Mr. Berry score his first and only number one hit single.

Answer: Mercury Records

Chuck Berry had a falling out with Chess Records and had a brief, yet tumultuous, time at Mercury. While at Mercury, Berry released "Live at the Fillmore Auditorium", an album that featured The Steve Miller Band as his backing group.

Answer: The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys first hit was "Surfin' USA", a tune that sounded an awful lot like Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen". So much so that Berry sued and won. Berry was actually in prison at the time of The Beach Boys release.

Answer: After School Session

Berry's first long play album release was not until May 1, 1957. That's over two years and several hit singles before an album was released. The album featured the songs "School Day", "Too Much Monkey Business" and "Havana Moon".

Answer: Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin never recorded or was known to play a Chuck Berry song regularly in concert. The Beatles recorded several songs including "Rock and Roll Music" and "Roll Over Beethoven". AC/DC covered "School Days" and Eric Clapton recorded "Little Queenie". Most every rock and roll band has either covered or borrowed a Chuck Berry lick in one way or another.

Answer: Keith Richards

Keith Richards stated, "It's hard for me to induct Chuck Berry, because I lifted every lick he ever played." The induction was held in New York.