Chuck Berry marks his 90th birthday by announcing first album in 38 years
Rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry has turned 90 today (18th October) and to celebrate the occasion he has announced his first album in decades
Simply entitled ‘Chuck’, the long-player is his first studio release since 1979’s ‘Rock It’ and boasts brand new songs written, recorded and produced by Chuck.
There is no concrete release date yet but a press release confirms it will arrive in 2017 via Dualtone Records.
Announcing the album, Chuck said it was in tribute to his wife of 68 years, Themetta: “This record is dedicated to my beloved Toddy. My darlin’ I’m growing old! I’ve worked on this record for a long time. Now I can hang up my shoes!”
Chuck laid down the album with his long-term backing band that includes his children Charles Berry Jr. (guitar) and Ingrid Berry (harmonica), together with Jimmy Marsala (bass), Robert Lohr (piano) and Keith Robinson (drums).
"What an honour to be part of this new music," Charles Berry Jr. said in a statement. "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."
More details about the album, including the full track-list, will be unveiled in the coming months.