I've written about it on my blog, so I won't repeat all that here, but last night's show at The Pageant was about as good as life gets. They say that Chuck Berry turns 84 tomorrow. He looked, acted, and sounded about 44 last night. His guitar playing was
incredible (until he tuned it!
). (Then it remained incredible, but once he heard what he'd done he had to try to do it all on the fatter strings!) He was just feeling his oats, playing well, singing like a kid, enjoying the songs, and basically taking no breaks and no prisoners. Some god must have intervened on my behalf-- no "Ding-a-Ling," either! (Although I take a somewhat kinder, gentler view of the song after reading his recent interview in Rolling Stone, where he says he's as proud of it as any other. That being the case, ding on.) The Pageant itself is spectacular, a modern, wide place with great sightlines in every direction. I was happily ensconced on the floor, just to the side of Chuck Berry. There are pictures on my site. They don't express it. They don't show the devilish grin, or the scene that surrounded him. A bunch of Berrys were off to my right. A full house roared thunderously after every song. The band, as usual, was great-- and this time assisted from start to finish by CBIII. And I got to see and hear Ingrid Clay Berry for the first time. Seeing and hearing were both good. I send special thanks to Bob Lohr and Jimmy Marsala and Keith Robinson and CBII for being very welcoming to me and mine (We even got to witness the sound check.) And to Mr. Berry: you just keep amazing me, year after year, decade after decade. We all love you!
Login 
Register
FAQ
Search
Like Jan, I'm eagerly awaiting the details of the upcoming "Double Dip Scoop" of Chuck Berry Rock & Roll you will be having on the Delmar Loop!!! Wish we all could be there with you - All Over St. Louie!! 
