Fun Fresh Flashback is brought to you by the godfather of rock n roll, pioneer Chuck Berry and his 1987 appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson is so astoundingly intriguing and mesmerizing on so many levels.
The genius rarely did interviews, and when he did, he could be notoriously confrontational Which is why Berry’s appearance was a special treat for the public who weren’t able to see him while touring the country. At this point in his career, Berry was playing with local groups to save money and was on the edge of a comeback before a comeback was even a pop culture terminology. His resurgence followed his salacious autobiography and “Hail Hail Rock & Roll!, the concert film about his 60th birthday concert that was released that year, which exposed Berry’s fascinatingly difficult personality.
But Berry chemistry and sheer reverence for Johnny Carson was palpable/ The then King of Late Night, surely shared the same emotions about Berry, dedicating thee entire episode of his TV hit show to Berry. Thee entrancing and groovy three-part interview includes yummy musical performances.
Carson begins by telling a story about how Berry, in typical fashion, was late for his performance due to travel issues and had just sound checked right in front of a live studio audience. And the rest of the funny late night show was TV magic making history!
“Is it worth sticking around for?” Carson asks, to huge applause. Berry plays an enchanting “Memphis” all by himself on stage, along with Carson’s studio band out of the picture though. Chuck always the loose and playful one shines with his voice staying exactly in tact like if it were 1955. He opens up on subjects during the 1960’s, and shares the bubble rock electric recipe for his musical inspirations.
“I wanted to sing like Nat Cole with lyrics like Louis Jordan, with the swing of Benny Goodman … playing Carl Hogan’s riffs, and with the soul of Muddy Waters. I had it all mixed in. I really do. When I’m near that mic and there are people looking at me, it just goes all through me.”
Now here we are honey rockers decades later, and the king Berry’s appearance on the Johnny Carson show is as eccentric and spellbinding as they come.
Dig it all out right below carebears!
