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Chuck Berry erratic in New Year's Day performance in Chicago

michaelhigh

michaelhigh

mind's eye music
It was reported on CBS Radio News that Chuck Berry, while performing in Chicago the evening of January 1st, started behaving erratically, left stage briefly, and returned to play piano only to be led offstage and checked out by paramedics. His wish was to "give the audience what they came for" as he had briefly returned, and it was reported that it was rare for him to play piano. Doing so might have been a feeble attempt at satisfying the audience after leaving the stage earlier after slumping over the keyboard briefly. As a local and international legend, he's been performing for decades, and needs our prayers and thoughts as he continues to play gigs well into his 80's. Here's hoping our very own rock and roll legend isn't seriously ill or injured in some way, and that regardless of how many performances he has left, that he assumes his rightful place in history as one of the very last true innovators of rock and roll, and his health can allow him to travel and appear as much as his advanced age can allow.:yes:
 
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Remembering how he performed decades ago, and imagining someone in his eighties (like my father!) doing that, well... I think that almost defines "pushing too hard." I respect the attitude of "the show must go on" --I've gone on stage with a high fever and insufficient sleep, and forced myself through near passing-out ordeals to avoid disappointing audiences, so I can empathize with that, but I wasn't (and am still not) eighty years old! At some point, rational common sense and awareness of one's limitations should set in. At the same time, I'm sure he didn't expect to end up slumped over the keyboard when he went on stage.

For a stand- or sit-still crooner like Sinatra, it was thinkable. For Chuck Berry? I'm not so sure...

Best wishes and prayers sent that this isn't anything too serious. No one lives forever, but I'm not looking forward to reading about the passing away of yet another big figure in rock history; there are too many of those coming thick-and-fast these days.
 
I'm just glad he listened to his cousin Marvin when Marvin called him to tell him about the "new sound" he heard from Michael J. Fox. :)
 
michaelhigh said:
It was reported on CBS Radio News that Chuck Berry, while performing in Chicago the evening of January 1st, started behaving erratically, left stage briefly, and returned to play piano only to be led offstage and checked out by paramedics. His wish was to "give the audience what they came for" as he had briefly returned, and it was reported that it was rare for him to play piano. Doing so might have been a feeble attempt at satisfying the audience after leaving the stage earlier after slumping over the keyboard briefly. As a local and international legend, he's been performing for decades, and needs our prayers and thoughts as he continues to play gigs well into his 80's. Here's hoping our very own rock and roll legend isn't seriously ill or injured in some way, and that regardless of how many performances he has left, that he assumes his rightful place in history as one of the very last true innovators of rock and roll, and his health can allow him to travel and appear as much as his advanced age can allow.:yes:
Click to expand...

. . . Amen, Michael . . . AMEN.

~Dave
 
His local (STL) schedule allows for him to play one house gig at a club in the Delmar Loop area called Blueberry Hill once per month, which he has been doing successfully for some time now. I'm 52, and he's the same age as my father (born 1927, I believe, or thereabouts). He currently lives in a really ritzy part of St. Louis county called Ladue.
 
Thank God he is ok! That's a shame that he doesn't have the same strength that he used to have.
 
I sneeked a touch of one of his guitars at the Hard Rock Baltimore last year & it gave me a chill. Hope he is alright and recovers.
 
Your pushin too hard your pushin to hard on me! Chuck has been doing this for a Loooong time! I think he just needs to cut back at 84 and realx a little and let his Incredible history and showmanship speak for themselves! His perfoming at home is Great and can probably satisfy that (need) he feels to continue.
 
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