HAIL! HAIL! CHUCK BERRY!
The Father of Rock and Roll and favorite son of St. Louis is being remembered with a 100th birthday bash!
The centennial celebration is kicking off with CHUCK 100: an All-Star Concert Event to be filmed for an upcoming documentary about his remarkable life and legacy. The show will rock STL’s Grandel Theatre on Thursday, October 22 at 7:00 PM. Ticket proceeds benefit STL.org.
For one very special evening, via evocative scenic design by Mikhail Lynn, the intimate Grandel setting will be transformed into Club Bandstand, Berry’s groundbreaking integrated 1950s STL nightclub. The filmmakers at STL.org will capture every unforgettable moment for inclusion in an illuminating new documentary set for release in 2027.
Arguably THE most influential figure in popular music history, Berry’s signature guitar riffs and songwriting style were borrowed directly by nearly every major rock act from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to Jimi Hendrix and Joan Jett. Now, to mark what would have been Chuck’s 100th birthday, renowned drummer/producer and Berry collaborator Steve Jordan will serve as Musical Director for this rousing, live celebration, leading a world-class array of artists paying tribute to the music that changed the world and influenced every generation that followed.
During an illustrious four-decade career, Jordan has been recognized as a Grammy-winning producer and the go-to drummer for artists including The Rolling Stones, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder and Eric Clapton. He was a pivotal collaborator and the backbone of the house band for Berry’s epic 1987 Hail! Hail! Rock ’n’ Roll concert project.
Joining Jordan onstage for CHUCK 100, with gems like Johnny B. Goode, Maybellene, and Roll Over Beethoven, will be funk/soul keyboardist Ivan Neville; Grammy-Award winning guitarist/singer Isaiah Sharkey; legendary Berry bassist and NRBQ founder Joey Spampinato; mesmerizing rootsy songstress Valerie June; acclaimed pedal steel virtuoso Robert Randolph; fiery blues-rock guitarist Ally Venable; and eclectic Memphis guitar maestro Eric Gales. STL will be well-represented with special guest artists including Berry family members Charles Jr, Charles III and Jahi Eskridge, alongside other well-known names from the vibrant local scene, including Mattie Schell, Neil Salsich and Brian Owens.
Host for the evening will be longtime Berry friend and raconteur Joe Edwards of Blueberry Hill restaurant fame.
