We're not pretending to write something about the man who influenced two generations of rock & pop musicians that hasn’t been written before. There's already so much that can be found about the "product" that you would get after throwing Muddy Waters, Louis Jordan, T-Bone Walker and Hank Williams in a soup mixer. Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry (81) is much more than that: he's a living legend, and that's for sure.

His bio reads as a thriller, at least for those with a healthy look on the musical history of the last century. Yes, it's true that he's far from easy going, that he has been jailed a couple of times, that he was confident that he could hire a band that already knew his music no matter where he went, giving live shows that became increasingly erratic (turning out in sloppy, out-of-tune performances). The music industry: Too much monkey business isn't it... You can't play with his "Ding-a-Ling", ask Keith Richards. But nobody can deny that besides being rock 'n roll's most influential performer, in terms of innovation he stands second to no one.

I can still see him standing in a far corner of the tent in Peer (Belgium Rhythm & Blues Festival - Legends of Rock 'n Roll - 1997) about ten minutes before he had to get up on stage. Alone, detached, unapproachable. After playing a couple of minutes, he stopped, demanding to send away the photographers. So they were removed frontstage and he continued the show. Exactly after 60 minutes, he stopped and walked away. Right, the contract said: 60 minutes, no more. The crowd yelled, but he already stepped into his rented Mercedes and drove away.

To enjoy his music, no contract is needed. There's enough essential material for sale to keep you busy for hours. So, what do you mean by essential Papa? The Chess Box of course, three great disks released in 1988 and filled with 71 delicious tracks. This package has it all folks. Want more? No problem, look around for his New Juke Box Hits (with Thirteen Question Method) and Rock 'n Roll Rarities with some previously unreleased versions as well as a number of stereo remixes. Those you should listen to in the Wee Wee Hours... See you next week!

The Chess Box - Chess/MCA 1988 (3 disks)
New Juke Box Hits - Chess 1961/1988
Rock 'n Roll Rarities Chess 1986

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