Drive time: new Chuck Berry album to rev up drivers

WITH ITS unmistakable opening guitar riff and memorable chorus, it’s little wonder that Johnny B. Goode ranks as one of the greatest songs of all time and remains a favourite with drivers looking to hit the road and blow the blues away. Now Chuck Berry’s 1958 masterpiece could be set for a revival, after plans were announced for the posthumous release of a new album in June.

Chuck Berry’s new album, simply titled Chuck, will be released on June 16 by Dualtone Records. Berry died earlier this month, aged 90.

His songs have been covered by the Beatles, the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones. Bruce Springsteen hailed Berry “the greatest pure rock n’ roll writer who ever lived.”

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News of the album broke on Berry’s 90th birthday, last October, following a 40 year hiatus from the recording studio. It is dedicated to his wife, Themetta “Toddy” Suggs.

The album features 10 new recordings, eight written by Berry, and a new single – Big Boys – has already been released. Its opening guitar riff bears a striking similarity to Johnny B. Goode.

The release of the new album is likely to spark interest amongst a new generation of younger fans, who will be streaming from smartphones in their car rather than listening to it on an eight-track tape player. And it could see Berry bump the likes of Queen off the top slot of favourite driving songs. A previous survey revealed that the British band’s Don’t Stop Me Now was the tune of choice to liven up a drive.

Joe Edwards, the owner of the Blueberry Hill club in St. Louis, Missouri, where Berry performed, described the new songs as “sensational.” Berry had enlisted Edwards to ensure the album was completed and brought to market.

The album is available to pre-order, from Dualtone Music.