Gibson have hand made 100 Chuck Berry 1970s ES-355 in Wine Red, based on the 1978 model Berry loved. “Of all the guitars my dad played, the 1978 ES-355 by far was his go-to,” says Chuck’s son Charles Berry Jr. “The guitar travelled the world with my dad for over 36 years.” (metatalk.net)
“Tom Murphy’s mad scientists in the Murphy Lab have aged them wonderfully. Put on the Captain’s hat, attach the conduit connector, if you dare, turn it up to 11 and rip.”
The guitar features aged gold hardware, a Maestro Vibrola, Grover tuners, a Varitone switch, and a classic split diamond headstock inlay. The striking Wine Red finish features Murphy Lab custom ageing, giving it the look and feel of the 1978 original.
Chuck’s Captain’s hat is included in the custom case, along with his innovative finger holder, an electrical conduit strap, which allowed him to play his ES-355 over and behind his head.
Before Chuck Berry passed away, he announced that his first new album in almost 40 years would be released in 2017. Now, the first single from his final album has arrived. Listen to “Big Boys” from Chuck, which features Tom Morello and Nathaniel Rateliff, below. The rest of the album arrives June 16 via Dualtone.
Live From Blueberry Hill will comprise footage from a series of shows that Berry played between July 2005 and January 2006 at Blueberry Hill, the landmark diner and music club located in Berry's native St. Louis. Berry and Blueberry Hill owner Joe Edwards hatched a plan for Berry to perform at the beloved establishment after the guitarist told Edwards, "You know, Joe, I'd like to play a place the size of the ones I played when I first started out." (UCR)
Read “Chuck Berry Was the Sound of 20th Century America” over on the Pitch.
the rock icon delivered 209 performances at Blueberry Hill over the course of 17 years. His handpicked backing band evolved over the years, but Berry eventually settled on a combination of family members, longtime collaborators and local St. Louis musical legends that became known as the "Blueberry Hill Band."
The Live From Blueberry Hill lineup includes Berry’s daughter, Ingrid, on harmonica, and his son, Charles Berry Jr., on guitar. Together, they tear through such canonical rock classics as "Roll Over Beethoven," "Rock and Roll Music," "Sweet Little Sixteen" and "Johnny B. Goode."
