90 is the new 50?

Brush away the AARP card, biting into soft food and staring out the window at birds from dusk until dawn. Chuck Berry, the trailblazing rocker behind “Johnny B. Goode” and many other hits, isn’t celebrating his 90th birthday (which is today, October 18th) sitting down. It looks like Mr. Berry still has a few fresh beats in his head that will keep him (and us) rockin’ and rollin’ well into the new year.

Berry’s new album –  titled “Chuck” – will arrive in 2017 via Dualtone Records. His last album of original music was 1979’s “Rock It.” According to a press release, “Chuck” consists of songs written by Berry and was recorded in studios around his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.
–Mike Ayers, Wall Street Journal

Thanks to my dad and his brother, I had the unforgettable chance to see experience Chuck Berry play his greatest hits in a tiny club in St. Louis, Missouri more than a decade ago. The true magic of that evening was that Mr. Berry, despite his towering age, did THE “Duck Walk” during his priceless performance of “Johnny B. Goode.” Everyone in the room was mesmerized with a smile as wide as the Gateway Arch. Knowing that the man himself is still musically inspired on his 90th birthday for a forthcoming album should bring a smile to everyone’s face.

A Dream of Mine: I think if somebody could arrange for Michael J. Fox to recreate that scene (as best as he can and is able) on the Academy Awards, in some form, to the Back to the Future mode/clothing/setting/high school kids dancing and have Chuck Berry “Duck Walk” on stage to sing with Marty McFly halfway through would be, arguably, the greatest moment in pop culture history. Plus, they would need to make sure to have that phone call from Marvin Berry before Chuck struts out onto the stage.

For now, here’s something that will get everybody to stand up and do their very own “Duck Walk.”

Happy 90th Birthday Chuck Berry!