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DAVID ST JOHN MEETS CHUCK BERRY!!
Just click on any image above - this will take you to Chuck's official website
If you have read through my Biography page you will note that I was weaned on classic 1950s rock and roll and was a big fan of Chuck Berry whose amazing songwriting and electric stage shows have captivated audiences all over the world since those early days.
Most musicians and songwriters will admit to being heavily influenced by this incredible character whose lyrics beamed out the images of teenage years in the American Fifties, weaving stories of cars, railroads, drive-in movies and much more. Adding these songs to a driving R&B guitar based beat just took us all to a different dimension and my first ever pop groups featured many of these songs, like so many new British bands during the early Sixties.
I just worshipped the Beatles and Rolling Stones - both of whom owe a great debt to Chuck Berry as their early set lists show. In fact - the first Stones UK single was a cover of "Come On" back in July 1963 and this kick started the British R&B boom which helped refresh the careers of many old Blues performers. I just loved the Stones driving beat and suddenly discovered a new talent on blues harmonica which I still play these days when sitting in with a band and jamming away!
I was lucky enough to grow up in Southampton and went to many pop concerts at the Gaumont Cinema Theatre and now known as the Mayflower (in memory of the ship that sailed through the old port and took the Pilgrim Fathers to the New World back in 1620) For a few shillings - you could see several top names on the same bill although they only performed for around 15-30 minutes each, depending on their stature etc. In 1963 and 1964 I had queued overnight to buy tickets to see the Beatles and will never forget the nonstop screaming through their show - you could hardly hear them although I was lucky enough to be close to the front!
Thanks to this new beat boom, Chuck Berry was 'rediscovered' and I quickly bought a ticket to see my idol as he was touring the country and due at the Gaumont on January 16th 1965. This package show was R&B influenced and the first half featured the Five Dimensions, Winston G, The Graham Bond Organisation with Long John Baldry closing the first half before the interval. The curtains opened for the main attraction and the warm-up spot fell to the fantastic Moody Blues whose first single "Go Now" had just hit the no. 1 spot in the UK charts and they played a great set before the compere started to tease the packed theatre who were all screaming "Chuck-Chuck-Chuck..." Once again - the curtains opened and the Five Dimensions belted out that well known rhythm as Chuck Berry strutted onto a thunderous ovation and proceeded to play so many classic songs along with his terrific stage presence. His cheeky facial expressions and innuendo-laden lyrics were enhanced by his guitar playing with showmanship to the fore. He looked and moved so cool shuffling around the whole stage and lifted the roof as he slided into the famous 'Duck Walk' then scooting across the front.
It was one of the best shows I have ever seen and it all ended far too soon as the curtains closed with the National Anthem ("God Save the Queen") being played as was the protocol at that time! Most people just stood courteously still and waited for the music to end before leaving the auditorium - can you imagine that these days?? It also gave the stars a chance to dash offstage and straight into the waiting cars or vans that had to whisk them out of the way before they got trapped by fans who were screaming at the sight of their idols just a few feet away. Security wasn't that well organised back then and many stars must have felt frightened as hysterical fans climbed all over the cars in an effort to talk to them or grab an autograph plus ripping off bits of clothes and even souvenir hair if possible!
I was close to the emergency exit leading to the stage door that was in a narrow alleyway running down the side of the building, so I quickly sneaked out and clutching my programme in case I might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the man himself. The waiting car had its engine running and I was on the opposite side looking across to the stage door exit just a few feet away and the police kept the quickly growing number of fans away from the area.
The doors flew open and a hot sweaty Chuck came dashing out of the building and into the car. I tried the other door and it was open so I jumped in and sat next to my idol clutching my programme and pen. The driver swore "Get that ******* kid outta here!" Chuck just laughed and shouted "No Man - just give the boy a ride - let's keep moving" The car inched its way down through the screaming fans and through the back gate turning past the railway station and they dropped me off in Hill Lane a couple of blocks away. I was chatting to Chuck who was laughing as I talked about his songs etc. His Southern Missouri drawl was a joy as he said "Why son - you know more about my music then I do!"
He signed my programme (see below) and said "Now you go home and be a good boy now!' I met him again a couple of years later after another show, as we found out he was staying at a hotel off the Avenue. I strolled in and had another chat as he was sitting in the reception with a late night drink. He remembered me straight away as the cheeky lad that jumped into the car before! Again we talked about his music and I found him to be one of the nicest stars I have ever met, despite some stories that he could be 'difficult' on some occasions. I also recall a well documented story when the Stones knocked on his dressing room door and were told to come back later as Chuck was 'too busy' to meet them! The story goes that they meekly wandered off muttering "Hmmph - we aint gonna do any of his ******* songs again!"
Chuck Berry is still touring the world at the age of 80 and rightly belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I wonder if he stills remembers that cheeky young lad who gatecrashed his car all those years ago..............
The official programme which he signed - No it's NOT for sale!
This tour was promoted by pop impresario Robert Stigwood who later brought the Bee Gees over to the UK and you will note the cover price of 2 shillings (10p in modern money) The actual show ticket would only have cost about ten shillings - around 50p and the chance to see a few top line stars on one night! How times have changed
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