Chuck Berry Celebrates 90th Birthday With New Album Set For 2017 Release

Chuck Berry

CHUCK BERRY celebrated his 90th birthday today with the surprise announcement that he will release a new album -- titled simply "CHUCK" -- in 2017 on DUALTONE RECORDS (an ENTERTAINMENT ONE company).

Comprised primarily of new, original songs written, recorded and produced by the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME legend, "CHUCK" is BERRY's first new album in 38 years. It was recorded in various studios around ST. LOUIS and features his longtime hometown backing group -- including his children CHARLES BERRY JR. on guitar and INGRID BERRY on harp, plus JIMMY MARSALA, his bassist of 40 years, piano player ROBERT LOHR and drummer KEITH ROBINSON -- which has supported him for over two decades on over 200 residency shows at the famed BLUEBERRY HILL club. More details about "CHUCK" and other BERRY-related events will be revealed in the coming weeks.

"This record is dedicated to my beloved TODDY," said BERRY, referring to his wife of 68 years, THEMETTA BERRY.  "My darlin' I'm growing old! I've worked on this record for a long time. Now I can hang up my shoes!"

"What an honor to be part of this new music," says CHARLES BERRY JR. "The ST. LOUIS band, or as dad called us 'THE BLUEBERRY HILL BAND,' fell right into the groove and followed his lead. These songs cover the spectrum from hard driving rockers to soulful thought provoking time capsules of a life's work."

Commented DUALTONE President PAUL ROPER: "It is a great honor to be a part of this record and the broader legacy of CHUCK BERRY. This body of work stands with the best of his career and will further cement him as one of the greatest icons of rock and roll."

BERRY received a GRAMMY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD in 1984, and was in the inaugural class of ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME inductees in 1986. He was awarded a KENNEDY CENTER HONOR in 2000, placed #5 on ROLLING STONE's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All-Time in 2010, and was given the first-ever PEN AWARD for literary excellence in lyric writing in 2012.

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