Music

Chuck Berry turns 90, announces first album in 38 years

by Tyler Munro

Today is Chuck Berry’s 90th birthday, and the legendary rock and roll innovator is celebrating with his first new album in 38 years, Chuck.

An album of all new material dedicated to his wife of 68 years, Berry says, perhaps unsurprisingly, that this is likely his last.

“My darlin’, I’m growing old!” he proclaimed in a statement. “I’ve worked on this record for a long time. Now I can hang up my shoes!”

And when he finally does, he’ll leave an unparalleled legacy behind him.

Not without his controversies — filming women while they pee is a sin not soon forgotten — Chuck Berry’s legacy is a curious one. He revolutionized rock and roll (at least before Marty McFly stole his shtick) and brought guitar to the forefront. His legendary hip swinging, duck walk slinging stage moves all-but created rock and roll showmanship, and in-turn gave Elvis the fodder to make white women weak in the knees and their parents scared beyond their wits.

Unfortunately, Berry’s life will always be reported with an asterisk. He was a lewd dude in his heyday, and while his propensity for farting on hookers can be seen as a (relatively) harmless kink, it’s hard to look past him installing cameras in his restaurant washroom. Berry alleged that he was simply trying to catch a coworker who’d been stealing from him, but his $1.2 million settlement with his accusers out of court tells a different story.

We rectify his legacy by treating it honestly. At 90-years-old, we can appreciate the man who wrote “My Ding-A-Ling” for what he is — irreplaceable, innovative, and kind of disgusting. Berry is expected out in 2017.

[h/t RollingStone]