18

ChuckBerry,'Maybellene'

Writer:Berry
Producers:LeonardandPhilChess
Released:July'55,Chess
11weeks;No.5
Rock&rollguitarstartshere.Thepileupofhillbillycountry,urbanbluesandhotjazzinChuckBerry's
electrictwangistheprimallanguageofpopmusicguitar,andit'sallperfectedonhisfirstsingle.The
entiresongisatwominutechasescenepackedwithcarculturevernacularandBerry'shipsterlingo
inventions("AsIwasmotorvatin'overthehill....").Itsgroovecomesfrom"IdaRed,"a1938recording
byBobWillsandHisTexasPlayboys(ofasongthatdatesbacktothe19thcentury).Bythetimeofthe
May21st,1955,session,Berryhadbeenplayingcountrytunesforblackaudiencesforafewyears
"Aftertheylaughedatmeafewtimes,theybeganrequestingthehillbillystuff,"hehassaid.Leonard
Chesscameupwiththetitle,inspiredbyaMaybellinemascaraboxlyingonthefloorattheChessstudio.
DJAlanFreedhadnothingtodowithwriting"Maybellene,"althoughhegotcocreditandroyaltiesfor
yearsinreturnforradioairplay:payolainallbutname.
Appearson:TheAnthology(Chess)
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The100GreatestGuitaristsofAllTime:ChuckBerry

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