Just watched the Golden Camera Award Ceremony.

Chuck Berry received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Klaus Meine of Scorpions-fame, who introduced Chuck as one of the greatest Rock'n'Roll Legends of all time who broke down many barriers and whose music is timeless. A short clip with concert footage and people like Keith Richards and Little Richard praising Chuck Berry was shown.

Then Chuck himself entered the stage. He mentioned that a girl that had lost her arms and legs, but won an award as an actor that night (she played in a movie about the Contergan-Scandal, pills that made people to cripples) moved him the most. He spoke some words in German: "Ich möchte gerne Deutsch sprechen." (I would like to speak German) and added some verses of his beautiful poem "My Dream" to his short, but in my opinion impressive, speech. He then went on to mime to a full playback version of "Roll Over Beethoven". The orginally scheduled live performance did not take place due to some equipment missing. The Band included Rudolf Schenker on the guitar, Steffi Stephan on the bass, Curt Cress on the drums and Joja Wendt on the piano.

After the ceremony, he dined with Robert De Niro and Hillary Swank in an expensive Berlin restaurant. All in all a very special evening and we look forward to welcome Chuck Berry back to Germany soon, but this time live!

Since Chuck appeared on TV approx. one hour ago, my website www.chuckberry.de had more visitors in that short period than it has usually in a day! The Golden Camera is amazing promotion for Chuck Berry in Germany!!!

I had to record the show on video due to business travel. But when I looked at it today, it was more than disappointing.

The introduction by Klaus Meine was ok, even though it was nothing more than just a few sentences everyone could have said by reading any half-page biography. Why didn't Mr. Meine tell a bit about how Berry's music influenced him personally or the Scorpions as a band?

When Chuck entered the stage, the standing ovations from the crowd (all famous TV people by themselves) was long and great. It was easily to see how much Chuck was moved emotionally. Looked like this was not something he went through often before.

Chuck's thanking speech was basically a poem recitation. I really would have liked to hear this in his original language. Unfortunately German TV found it necessary to not only translate Chuck's words, but also to broadcast this translation much too loud. The translation of course was no longer in rhyme or even a poem, just some senseless sentences. A pity! If someone has a recording of the speech in original language, I'd love to get a copy.

And then came the worst part of all. Chuck Berry lip-syncing to "Roll over Beethoven". A song he still performs today in every concert multiple times each month. But German TV (as most other TV stations today) requested play-back. So we see Chuck standing in front of a band of famous German musicians. And we hear the Chess recording of 1956 play! There's the famous guitar solo - but there is no lead guitar on stage! Chuck just singing (well, opening and closing his mouth). The rhythm guitarist always turned his back to the camera, obviously ashamed of this performance. You see the musicians exchange views and shaking their heads. What a pity! This could have been a great moment, but it was just shameful.

I didn't think it was disappointing, but each to their own.




Klaus Meine mentioned how he played Chuck Berry songs when he started out. I think he made pretty clear what great impression Chuck Berry made on him.




He looked moved indeed. Does not happen very often (at least not in public). Another example where he seemed very moved is Kennedy Center Honors which took place in December 2000.




I agree about the translation. It was far too loud, quite a spoiler. But hardly Chuck's fault. He did well.




Well, it was not that German TV requested playback. Actually they wanted him to play live and there was even an rehearsal which Chuck obviously attented. But it seems the equipment he usually uses in his concerts was not there. There was not even a Gibson guitar. They offered him a Les Paul, but he did not want it. So they settled with the playback. This info comes from the bass player Steffi Stephan.

The playback performance itself: Well, it would be shameful if one takes it serious. But I thought nobody did that. Chuck kept up pretty well with the words (you can actually hear him singing along the original recording if you listen closely). He made an entertaining fun performance out of it, for himself, for the invited guests and for those who followed the ceremony on television. I think most understood it that way. Everyone had an twinkle in their eyes and was amazed in what great shape Chuck still is. No more, no less.

If thats what happened....Chuck not getting the right guitar....due to the importance of the evening, dont ya think Chuck couldve strapped on the guitar the DID have? Which would have been worse, Chuck playing another guitar, or just standing there lipsynching, and as mentioned the backing musicians, looking awkward. Im guessing the latter.
I love Chuck, and his "intense" personality, but sometimes he does disappoint. Just goes with the territory though.
No one would have known the difference if Chuck played another guitar. Maybe except for a few in the know. What a shame.