Died On This Date (March 18, 2017) Chuck Berry / Rock and Roll Pioneer
themusicsover Chuck Berry
October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017
As one of the founding fathers of rock and roll, Chuck Berry refined the early sounds of rhythm and blues, added catchy teen-centric lyrics, and turned up the volume of his guitar. By doing so, he became one of the most influential artists pop music has ever known. Launching his recording career during the mid ’50s, Berry created songs that not only became a part of America’s fabric, but would be played on radios, at parties, in concerts, on television, and in movies for the next 60 years. His remarkable output included such unforgettable songs as “Johnny B. Goode,” “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Sweet Little Sixteen,” and “Rock and Roll Music.” On stage, he stood head and shoulders above most of his peers by adding a showmanship that included dazzling guitar solos, and of course, that “duck walk” across the stage. His direct influence is staggering – the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, the Beach Boys, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Prince, Ted Nugent, Tom Petty, and George Thorogood (to name just a very few) have all cited him as a significant influence or honored him in some way. In 1986, Berry was deservedly part of the initial class inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and he went on to receive countless accolades for the rest of his life. And of course, a pop music-related “Best Of” list that does not include him or one of his records somewhere near the top, should be taken to the shredder. Chuck Berry was 90 when he passed away in his home on March 18, 2017. Cause of death was not immediately released.
What You Should Own
George Martin was a classically trained musician, record producer, and talent scout who most famously took a chance on the Beatles after they had been turned down by most other British record labels at the time. What followed was a collaboration that changed not only the musical landscape of the era, but also what would become popular music and pop culture for decades to come. With Martin as producer (and so much more) on the Beatles’ original albums, they scored 30 #1 singles in the UK and 23 in the US – and millions in sales, of course. Of the list of Beatles collaborators who were referred to as “the Fifth Beatle,” it was Martin who actually deserved the title. That alone on a person’s resume is enough to cruise through the rest of his or her life, but not Martin. Over the next six decades, he had a big hand in the success of the likes of Elton John, Dire Straits, Cheap Trick, ELO, and Celine Dion, to name a few. Martin also worked extensively in film, either arranging, scoring or producing. Two of the most famous songs he produced for films were Shirley Bassey‘s “Goldfinger” for Paul McCartney‘s “Live and Let Die” from the James Bond movies of the same name. He’s been recognized with six Grammys, an Academy Award, and countless other accolades. George Martin was 90 when he died in his sleep on March 8, 2016.
Lemmy Kilmister was the lead singer, bassist, primary songwriter, and only original member of Motorhead, the legendary English rock band he formed in 1975. Over the course of four decades, the band, which was equal parts punk rock and heavy metal, released over 22 albums, which sold upwards of 30 million worldwide. Kilmister was born in Straffordshire, but spent most of his early years in North Wales. After leaving high school early, he worked various menial jobs while learning to play the guitar. When he was 16, he saw one of the Beatles‘ iconic Cavern Club shows and instantly knew he wanted to make music. The next day, he bought Please Please Me and learned to play the guitar while playing along with it. After performing in a series of local bands, Kilmister moved to London where he shared a flat with 
Stevie Wright was an English-born singer and songwriter best remembered as the lead singer of Sydney, Australia’s Easybeats. The band, and Wright in particular, are widely regarded as Australia’s first international pop stars. Formed in 1964, the Easybeats quickly rose to the top of the heap of local bands that were direct byproducts of the British Invasion. In fact, the group first found its footing in a tiny hangout in pub basement that was dubbed Beatle Village. Within a year, the Easybeats were signed to Parlophone Records and quickly built a sizable following throughout Australia. By the end of 1965, they were playing to sell-out crowds and sparking their own Beatlemania-like hysteria coined, “Easyfever.” The band’s hits included “She’s So Fine,” “Come And See Her,” “Sorry,” and most notably, “Friday On My Mind,” their only true international hit. After the band split up in 1969, Wright fronted a handful of other bands and launched a solo career. In 1972, he performed as Simon the Zealot in the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar. In 1986, Wright reunited with the Easybeats for a brief Australian tour. He ultimately retired in 2009. On December 27, 2015, Stevie Wright died of pneumonia. He was 68.
