SOURCE: http://rockbluescountryclasicos.blogspot.com.ar/2012/07/chuck-berry-rockn-roll-hall-of-fame-en.html

FERNANDO GIL

When singer-guitarist Chuck Berry turned 60, he held a birthday concert that attracted the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton and Robert Cray. You'd think at least a few of those A-list stars would be on hand for the Rock Hall's week-long American Music Masters Series tribute to the man, which culminated last night in a gala concert held at the State Theatre. But for whatever reason, big-name acts weren't in attendance, even though Berry himself was scheduled to close out the night. Granted, the American Music Masters Series is as much about education as it's about entertainment, but you'd still think at least a few of rock's major acts would have contributed a video-taped acknowledgement. After all, they all owe a debt to the man. While that didn't keep the crowd away (the concert was sold out), it did create a bit of impatience on the audience's part — at one point someone yelled out "we want Chuck!" during the middle of one of the show's many slow segments.

The concert began with an introduction by Rock Hall CEO and President Terry Stewart, who described Berry as the "guy who put all the [rock 'n' roll] pieces together." Clearly a fan, Stewart revealed his personal connection to Berry's music when he said he wished he could live inside a Chuck Berry song, a sentiment he returned to at several points throughout the concert. Stewart then promised that the show would be like a "freight train" but given the slow changes between sets, his metaphor wasn't quite appropriate. Filling in for indie rocker M. Ward, who had to cancel because he was sick, Blasters singer-guitarist Dave Alvin started the show off with a solid performance and he was followed by Texas bluesman Ray Sharpe, who was equally solid, nailing the gritty guitar work of Berry's "No Money Down." While the New York Dolls David Johansen and Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister brought star power to the show, it was little known Americana singer-pianist John Fullbright who really shined on his contribution, a moody rendition of "Downbound Train." He certainly wasn't eclipsed by singer-guitarist Malina Moye, a guitar virtuoso who twirled like some kind of dervish during her performance, which came off rather poorly.

Country icon Merle Haggard, one of the bigger names on the bill, drew a strong ovation and sounded great even though he initially complained when his guitar wasn't properly plugged in. "Don't mess with Merle," yelled one supportive fan before Haggard began to play. While inductees Ernie Isley and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels get an A for effort for the collaboration on a revamped "School Days," lines likes like "to all you kids who wanna be cool/Chuck Berry says stay in school" came off as heavy-handed and seemed out of sync with the show's overall approach. The build-up to Berry's show closing performance was laborious at times, and the man's closing performance was ultimately rather anticlimactic. On "Johnny B. Goode," he sang so far away from the microphone, that you could barely hear his vocals and he had to restart the beginning of "Reelin' and Rockin'" after missing a few notes. "I'm 86 years old and glad to be anywhere," he yelled mid-song. But give the guy credit for showing just how limber he still is. Despite the musical miscues, he pulled off his signature duck walk move without any trouble at all.

Posted by Jeff Niesel on Sun, Oct 28, 2012 at 11:05 AM
http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2012/10/28/concert-review-american-music-masters-series-tribute-to-chuck-berry

SOURCE AND MORE COMMENTS: http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/GoldenforumofJohnnyCashandJerryleelewis/

...here's the first YouTube video up so far: http://youtu.be/j6Ey9sM2g_Q

Thank You Fernando for the great shot of Chuck's scoot !! And Thanks Bob for the video link. Chuck did very well and you guys backed him to perfection. Hope you all had a great time....

Doug

Chuck Berry Rocks Cleveland Tribute Concert

Rolling Stone – 2 hours 15 minutes ago

RELATED CONTENT

Chuck Berry Rocks Cleveland Tribute Concert

"I'm 86 years old," Chuck Berry said after playing a short, raw set at Cleveland's State Theatre late last night. "And I'm happy to be anywhere!"

The crowd was equally ecstatic. Berry traveled to Cleveland for a tribute concert in his honor, which included performers Merle Haggard, Ronnie Hawkins, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, Joe Bonamassa and Lemmy Kilmister. At the end of the night, Berry accepted the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's American Masters of Music Award, wrapping the Hall of Fame's weeklong celebration of Berry's life. The reclusive Berry seemed to love every minute of his Cleveland stay, spending Saturday afternoon at the Hall of Fame, where he checked out his exhibit with his family and held a rare interview with journalists in a Hall of Fame conference room, praising President Obama and discussing his health.

Chuck Berry Praises Obama, Laments Fading Health

He was in for some surprises. Whether it was DMC retooling "School Days" as a pro-education hip-hop anthem or Haggard putting a twangy spin on "Memphis," the night highlighted just how far Berry's influence reaches. Between performers, classic Berry performance footage was shown on a massive screen and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame President Terry Stewart put the songs in historical context. "[Berry] was a lightning rod," he said. "Rock & roll was still being born and he came out the way he did. Unbelievable."

Setlist-wise, you couldn't go wrong; Berry has one of the greatest catalogs in rock & roll history; vivid, witty storytelling over rollicking rhythm. Seventy-four-year-old Ray Sharpe, who has been recording since the late Fifties, growled a soulful "No Money Down" soaked in Texas twang, backed by the ace house band. Rockabilly revivalist J.D. McPherson howled a loose, chugging "Beautiful Delilah" and bounced across the stage through "Around and Around." "It's ridiculous that I'm here tonight," McPherson said, grinning. The New York Dolls' David Johansen and Earl Slick tore the roof off with a smoky, fuzzed-out take on 1961's "I'm Talking About You" and invited out Ohio's Rick Derringer for a heavy "Back in the U.S.A."

The night rolled on with John Fulbright, who sat at a keyboard and played harmonica on "Downbound Train." Malina Moye played Berry deep cut "Stop and Listen," full of wah-wah and feedback-drenched guitar. The number concluded with Moye by raising her Stratocaster above her head and twirling around in her lengthy dress. It didn't sound anything like Berry, but it made an impression. More fancy fretwork came from Bonamassa, who played a gorgeous, hushed "In the Wee Wee Hours" and a raucous "Oh Carol."

Lemmy Kilmister attacked "Bye Bye Johnny" and "Let It Rock" with his whiskey-soaked growl. Sitting backstage sipping a Jack and Coke in his dressing room, Kilmister said Berry was one of his first heroes. "I liked his attitude. He had that sort of smile on his face and that pencil mustache, sort of a lothario, you know. He's always got that innuendo in the vocals when he's talking about chicks. He was always a horn dog, basically, and so was I."

At 77, Ronnie Hawkins proved he's still a powerhouse showman with "30 Days" and "Roll Over Beethoven," the Hawk whooping and howling during instrumental breaks. San Antonio rockabilly singer Rosie Flores was one of the most impressive acts of the evening, performing endearing, country-flavored takes on "No Particular Place to Go" and "You Never Can Tell." Flores was also the only performer brave enough to playfully attempt a duck walk.

Next to Berry, Merle Haggard was the biggest legend in the room. His set started rocky due to some technical difficulties; there was a pedal board in front of his microphone. "You guys put something in front of me that's not supposed to be here," he said, pointing to the board. "Can you come to move it?" The move made Haggard's guitar short out, and he threw up his arms in frustration. He overcame the problems with his classic "Workin' Man Blues," grinning genuinely at his son Benion's tasteful Telecaster mastery. Next, the duo played a raw "Memphis," Haggard rattling off Berry's lyrics with his axe slung across his back. "It's great to be part of the fanbase of the great Chuck Berry," Haggard said. "Its even better to be asked to play here."

100 Greatest Artists: Chuck Berry

Next, Ernie Isley played a heavy version of "Rock & Roll Music" while McDaniels took one of the night's biggest risks, performing his own version of "School Days" backed by a DJ and the house band. "Chuck Berry's been rapping before rappers been rap!" McDaniels said in a speech; DMC and Ernie Isley soon mashed rock and hip-hop, sampling Berry's vocals in their own take on "Brown Eyed Handsome Man."

At the end of the night, Stewart announced "the man of the hour" and the curtain rose, as Berry stood onstage with his band to a massive standing ovation. He kicked straight into "Johnny B. Goode" before getting lost for a moment, while his daughter Ingrid sang the lyrics. He soon joined back in and the song picked up steam. "What's the second song?" he asked the band afterward. He kicked into "Reeling and Rockin'" to huge applause, but soon raised his hand and stopped the song, then eased into it again with the rhythm a little slower. Berry was full of energy, hitting stellar double-string licks, duck-walking and holding his Gibson high in the air above the piano with a twinkle in his eyes.

The night finished up when Berry graciously accepted the Hall of Fame's award, and, in a rare move, invited his wife onstage. "Ladies and gentlemen, Themetta Berry, my wife of 62 years," he said. "It's going to be 63 in June!" Most of the night's performers returned to the stage for "Rock & Roll Music," a fun mess that was led by Isley as Berry returned to the stage halfway through the song, playing rhythm next to Lemmy Kilmister and high-fiving the Motörhead singer. Earlier in the day, Berry toldRolling Stone that his singing days have passed. But, true to character, he's still full of surprises.


Thanks Doug! Here other review, for the Rolling Stone.
Fernando Gil.-

Hi Fernando, I wish we could have been there. There are programs and a poster of the event already showing up on ebay for sale for those of us that are interested. Looks like a pretty good program......



Doug

I don't really know what the music is they are making today. I just know I don't care for it.

And now for your pleasure, Ladies and Gentleman This Is Rock & Roll -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj0kslXDtV0

Timeless - Thanks For The Music Chuck !!

Doug

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBANflLdQs0

The Duck step in Cleveland.

Fernando Gil.-