Music plays a big part in our lives. It is often playing in the background and it really just blends in, but it also plays in our minds more often than we realize.
Over the years, music has changed. We’ve gone from big band music to rock ‘n’ roll, and we’ve touched almost everything in between. There are also many who still enjoy music that is not mainstream, such as classical music.
Every once in a while, a musician and a song come along that changes the course of history. That was the case with the song, Johnny Be Goode, which came on the scene in the 50s from the singer, Chuck Berry. It was a different style of music and it influenced musicians for years to come, including down to this day.
What many people don’t know about the song is the fact that it had a lot to do with Chuck Berry’s life. It was written in 1955, and it tells the story of a country boy near New Orleans who had the ability to play the guitar as if he were ringing a bell.
Berry had even changed the music to a certain extent in order to appeal to a larger audience. At first, Johnny was going to be a ‘colored boy’ but he eventually moved that over to being a country boy so a larger audience would listen.
The song had a lot to do with Chuck Berry personally. For example, he came from 2520 Goode Avenue in St. Louis. The beginning of the song was inspired by the band’s pianist, but it became more of a personal song to Chuck Berry as it evolved.
The song eventually became a big part of our rock ‘n’ roll history. In fact, Chuck Berry was on hand in 1986 at the first Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony and he performed the song for a very happy audience. Bruce Springsteen even backed him on that occasion.
The song continued to gain a wide audience and appeal, so much so that it was even part of the movie, Back to the Future. Who of us could ever forget Marty McFly playing that song at the Enchantment under the Sea dance.
Will not take the opportunity to watch Chuck Berry playing the song live from 1958. It’s a piece of history that continues to live on today.