RIP Chuck Berry

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 10:36 pm

One of the most important dudes in the history of rock. Just heard it on the radio.

I believe he was still touring and he made Wolfe look young

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Wolfman · Post by **Wolfman** » Sat Mar 18, 2017 10:56 pm

Oh no. Guess I'll play a few of his tunes tonight. 8:30 PM EDT, the Fallout Shelter will be open.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 1:08 am

Like Prince and David Bowie before him, I'll shed no tears and give no fucks when a sexual predator finally meets his end.

RACK his death -- better late than never.

Smackie Chan · Post by **Smackie Chan** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 4:01 pm

Dinsdale wrote:Like Prince and David Bowie before him, I'll shed no tears and give no fucks when a sexual predator finally meets his end.

RACK his death -- better late than never.

I suppose one could take a hard line on the subject and consider any sex between an adult male and an underage female to be predatory in nature. If so, one would have to throw Jimmy Page, Ted Nugent, Mick Jagger, Bill Wyman, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Steven Tyler, Marvin Gaye, and probably countless other musicians and celebrities into the mix of sex offenders. I'm not justifying or rationalizing it - just sayin' it's not an uncommon part of the culture and one that's been celebrated in more than one song. Ken Kesey made somewhat of a sympathetic figure out of Randle McMurphy (Jack Nicholson's character) in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by having him committed to Nurse Ratched's care and lobotomized for screwing a 14-yr-old.

No doubt rock stars and celebs are faced with more temptations than the vast majority of us, and many feel they are above the law. While I'm no sexual predator, I've certainly committed an act or two in my life of which I'm not proud, and would prefer the entirety of my existence not be judged by them. So I'll withhold judgment of those in the performing arts (and others) who may have transgressed, and praise their talents as warranted. Hell, I've played songs by Charles Manson in TuneTown (even though he sucked out loud as a musician and songwriter), so I'll give Chuck Berry a pass despite his conviction for violating the Mann Act.

Dude may not have been the best guitarist, singer, songwriter, or performer, and rock & roll would still have existed without him, but the imprint he left on it was certainly indelible. It's likely that Bob Dylan is the only "rock" songwriter who may have had more of his songs performed by others than Berry. So despite whatever taboos he may have violated, RACK Chuck Berry for his songs.

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 5:37 pm

^^^^^ T1B's voice of reason. Well said per usualm

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smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 5:40 pm

If chuck fukked a 15 year old who looked and acted 19 I think we can give him a pass.

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Dr_Phibes · Post by **Dr_Phibes** » Sun Mar 19, 2017 5:42 pm

He clocked Keith Richards in the head so he's alright by me.

Shlomart Ben Yisrael · Sun Mar 19, 2017 5:59 pm

Smackie Chan wrote:...screwing a 14-yr-old.

Sorry. Mr. Ben Yisrael is out of the office this afternoon. Please leave a Diego request and he'll be happy to respond promptly, at the next opportune moment."

BEEP

LTS TRN 2 · Post by **LTS TRN 2** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 5:24 am

The knock on Chuck isn't about his bangin' an underage hooker while crossing state lines, but rather his getting caught having installed cameras inside the toilet bowls in the ladies rooms of his second rate "recreation park." Add to this the infamous home video of him pissing in a hookers mouth, and then instructing her to take a dump right on his face while he "writhed like an animal," and we're talking about a twisted fellow indeed. His tunes really don't stand up to modern developments, as they're all thin--no bass or drums to speak of--and his iconic guitar playing is really just rhythm playing, with no great or memorable solos at all. As for his paranoid, cheapskate demeanor on the road, his shows were always slapdash and really just a retro sockhop for the square white folk who bought into his act way back in the day. Of course he was a total egotistical moron, but that's not so uncommon in those circles. Now Buddy Holly, there was a genius.

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 2:00 pm

Good G0d you are a tedious one note bore.

No one is saying CB was any sort of virtuoso musician or model citizen. What he was, was an innovator who pretty much invented rock guitar. If I wanna listen to a virtuoso guitar player, I'll break out some early Yes or something similar. CB knew how to do one thing pretty fukking well, make sounds that others found enjoyable. This is a trait you'll never have to worry about.

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Shlomart Ben Yisrael · Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:02 pm

smackaholic wrote:What he was, was an innovator who pretty much invented rock guitar.

That would be Ike Turner.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:13 pm

Shlomart Ben Yisrael wrote:
smackaholic wrote:What he was, was an innovator who pretty much invented rock guitar.

That would be Ike Turner.

John Lee Hooker
T-Bone Walker
Guitar Slim

Les Paul

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 10:06 pm

Mikey wrote:
Shlomart Ben Yisrael wrote:
smackaholic wrote:What he was, was an innovator who pretty much invented rock guitar.

That would be Ike Turner.
John Lee Hooker
T-Bone Walker
Guitar Slim

Les Paul

All of the above can claim their share of fatherhood to rock and roll. You could add to the list a hundred or so old colored fellas that came before them.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 10:21 pm

smackaholic wrote:

All of the above can claim their share of fatherhood to rock and roll. You could add to the list a hundred or so old colored fellas that came before them.

Yep but if anybody could claim literally to have "invented" rock guitar, it would probably have to be Les Paul.

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Thu Mar 23, 2017 10:31 pm

Les definitely gets credit for inventing The rock guitar. Is that his first electric? Bet it might be worth a few dollars.

LTS TRN 2 · Post by **LTS TRN 2** » Fri Mar 24, 2017 12:09 am

Chuck covered Buddy Holly tunes (Brown Eyed Handsome Man), not the other way around. As for Chuck being a total perv, well no one else noted it. I scroll down the thread and you're all just swinging on his scrotum like tedious tourists. As for my critique on Chuck or other musicians, at least I back up what I say. And yes, that goes for toxic frauds and criminals like Mother Theresa and Bibi. Yawn..

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Fri Mar 24, 2017 4:07 pm

Jesus, could you possibly be more tedious? Survey says....

Shlomart Ben Yisrael · Fri Mar 24, 2017 6:13 pm

Goober McTuber wrote:...could you possibly be more tedious?

Smackie Chan · Post by **Smackie Chan** » Fri Mar 24, 2017 6:30 pm

Goober McTuber wrote:Jesus, could you possibly be more tedious?

Did you really have to throw down that gauntlet?

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Fri Mar 24, 2017 7:17 pm

LTS TRN 2 wrote:you're all just swinging on his scrotum like tedious tourists.

You keep using that word, "all." I do not think it means what you think it means.

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Fri Mar 24, 2017 7:41 pm

Shlomart Ben Yisrael wrote:
smackaholic wrote:What he was, was an innovator who pretty much invented rock guitar.

That would be Ike Turner.

Another world class POS.

Smackie Chan · Post by **Smackie Chan** » Sat Mar 25, 2017 12:00 am

TuneTown will celebrate the music of Chuck Berry this evening despite his vile and despicable ways, and will also have some killer blues to go along with the usual assortment of R&R. Tip on in fer a spell.

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Sat Mar 25, 2017 12:06 am

Nice way to support a child rapist.

Have you no shame? (Rhetorical question)

I suppose we'll get something from Charles Manson as well.

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Sat Mar 25, 2017 12:09 am

Goober McTuber wrote:Jesus, could you possibly be more tedious? Survey says....

I doubt it. Let's turd achieved critical mass in tediousness at least a decade ago.

Smackie Chan · Post by **Smackie Chan** » Sat Mar 25, 2017 12:10 am

smackaholic wrote:I suppose we'll get something from Charles Manson as well.

I have some ifn's ya wannit.

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Sat Mar 25, 2017 12:28 am

I threw that out there, thinking that I had heard you mention playing some charlie manson in the past.

Shlomart Ben Yisrael · Sat Mar 25, 2017 2:37 am

smackaholic wrote:Nice way to support a child rapist.

Have you no shame? (Rhetorical question)

I suppose we'll get something from Charles Manson as well.

Shouldn't you be out on the freeway working on a sudoku puzzle?

LTS TRN 2 · Post by **LTS TRN 2** » Sat Mar 25, 2017 8:47 am

Dinsdale wrote:
LTS TRN 2 wrote:you're all just swinging on his scrotum like tedious tourists.

You keep using that word, "all." I do not think it means what you think it means.

All as in everyone who had chimed in on the dull thread.

Chuck was boring as fuck. And his music was tired as early as 1963. My Dingaling? N-word please...

Dr_Phibes · Post by **Dr_Phibes** » Mon Mar 27, 2017 3:37 am

LTS TRN 2 wrote: His tunes really don't stand up to modern developments

This means nothing :? He didn't have access to technology?

they're all thin--no bass or drums to speak of

Irrelevant and subjective

his iconic guitar playing is really just rhythm playing, with no great or memorable solos at all.

Not everyone went to the Van school of Yngwie. You've posted nothing and dressed it up as.. nothing.

LTS TRN 2 · Post by **LTS TRN 2** » Mon Mar 27, 2017 3:48 am

Papa Willie wrote:
Chuck was boring as fuck. And his music was tired as early as 1963. My Dingaling? N-word please...

You would never have heard of Hendrix if it wasn't for Chuck Berry, so you'd better go ahead and understand that.[/quote]

It's true that Jimi was an early fan of Chuck, and indeed really believed that he was Johnny B Goode. However, his real main inspiration was Elvis, and a bit later Little Richard. And of course his guitar stylings had nothing to do with Chuck's--unlike , say, Keith Richards.

Dr_Phibes wrote:
LTS TRN 2 wrote: His tunes really don't stand up to modern developments
This means nothing :? He didn't have access to technology?

they're all thin--no bass or drums to speak of
Irrelevant and subjective

his iconic guitar playing is really just rhythm playing, with no great or memorable solos at all.
Not everyone went to the Van school of Yngwie. You've posted nothing and dressed it up as.. nothing.

Well of course the recording technology was crap--or at least the producer's decisions on mastering the recordings. But that's exactly my point, you idiot.

As for his guitar playing, it may as well have been a prop. It's just the same simple chugging, period, with no melodic or harmonic developments at all. Sure, he was very popular for a few years, with a sprinkling of hits, but the accolades have been way over the top, that's all.

Dr_Phibes · Post by **Dr_Phibes** » Mon Mar 27, 2017 4:21 am

LTS TRN 2 wrote: However, his real main inspiration was Elvis, and a bit later Little Richard. And of course his guitar stylings had nothing to do with Chuck's--unlike , say, Keith Richards.

That's weird, I remember Hendrix saying his main styling influence was Dick Dale. Are you making this up as you go along :?

LTS TRN 2 · Post by **LTS TRN 2** » Mon Mar 27, 2017 10:37 am

No, Jimi never said that, and you know nothing of Hendrix, guitar, or music in general. What are you?

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Mon Mar 27, 2017 11:21 am

Oh, shut up "Dr" Phibes. You know nothing about Hendrix. Everyone knows Jimi got all his guitar ideas from Elvis.

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Mon Mar 27, 2017 11:34 am

Considering how much time Hendrix spent on the chitlin circuit, I would expect his well of influences to be very very deep.

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Mon Mar 27, 2017 11:59 am

This ^^^^^

Yesterday morning, I was listening to some of them on BB King's Bluesville. They do a sunday morning acoustic blues show. You ever catch it, B? Some seriously old shit. Some of it from the 30s, maybe even 20s.

Jimi was influenced by Chuck, Albert King, BB Kings, a few more Kings, and all the other olde tymey balck blues players. I'm still trying to figure out what he got from Elvis, other than showmanship in general. To the best of my knowledge, Elvis holding a guitar was largely a prop. I doubt he was capable of anything beyond very rudimentary rhythm playing. If he was, I am sure we would have seen it.

Smackie Chan · Post by **Smackie Chan** » Mon Mar 27, 2017 2:39 pm

smackaholic wrote:Elvis holding a guitar was largely a prop. I doubt he was capable of anything beyond very rudimentary rhythm playing. If he was, I am sure we would have seen it.

Chuck Berry's influence is primarily based on his songwriting, and to much lesser degrees his virtuosity as a guitar player, his singing, or his showmanship, although he was no slouch as a performer. The songs he wrote were not complex and had low degrees of difficulty, and his lyrics did not evoke deep thoughts. They were simple tunes based on universal themes of youth - girls, cars, and having fun.

Rock & roll in its infancy was never intended to be about philosophy or social issues - it was about having a good time, and Chuck's songs achieved that goal as well as anyone else's, which is why so many others recorded them and played them live. Perhaps the one social issue his songs spoke to was youthful rebellion, which was more of a result than an objective. As rock music evolved and was combined with folk and other types of music, it took on more serious subjects, but that was after Chuck spawned it. He did what he was put on this planet to do, and let others do with it what was destined to naturally occur.

Elvis's contributions were based more on his charisma, race, showmanship, looks, and singing ability. He was not a gifted songwriter or guitarist, but took other people's songs ('sup Leiber & Stoller?) and made them famous. He also participated in R&R's evolution, moving from Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock to In the Ghetto. Chuck chose not to, or simply didn't, contribute to anything beyond the basics, which is OK. He played to his strengths, and left it at that.

He wasn't a great guitarist, but he was good enough. His songs were not complex, but they intensely resonated with his intended audience. He was certainly no saint, but who among us is? He paid his debt to society by serving prison time.

Criticize him if you must, but acknowledge his contributions, and move on to another thread and smack others, living or dead.

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Tue Mar 28, 2017 1:56 am

'Holic if I had Sirius XM I would definitely be listening to BB King's Bluesville.

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Tue Mar 28, 2017 2:19 am

BSmack wrote:'Holic if I had Sirius XM I would definitely be listening to BB King's Bluesville.

You can get it on your phone for damn near nothing. This was the first time I listened to the sunday morning acoustic set. It was pretty cool.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:22 am

On my morning drive it's either Bluesville, Real Jazz or Deep Tracks. Real Jazz usually makes me drive better. Or at least less competitively.

smackaholic · Post by **smackaholic** » Tue Mar 28, 2017 3:26 am

You should listen to some speed metal or maybe thrash metal during the morning drive. Better chance of being offed in a road rage incident that way.