By Michelle McIntosh
The Scene staff
I have been able to see two of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest acts perform live in the past few months.
In February, I had the honor of meeting the legendary Chuck Berry, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis.
Growing up listening to different types of music and having family members in bands has enhanced my knowledge of “greats” like Berry. Meeting this man, who is still performing around the world at 86, was truly a dream come true.
“Mr. Berry” (he asked me to call him this) recorded several major hits, including “Johnny B. Goode,” “Roll over Beethoven” and the comical “My Ding-a-Ling.”
I must admit that my parent’s landlord and I spent about three hours texting back and forth lyrics to Berry’s songs recently. Almost anyone who has heard “My Ding-a-Ling can recall:
“When I was just a little boy,
My grandmother bought me a cute little toy,
Silver bells hanging on a string,
She told me that it was my ding-a-ling.”
The audience at the awards dinner gave Mr. Berry a standing ovation, and seeing him step onto the stage brought many to tears. Billy Peek, who toured with him for years, gave an outstanding tribute. He even did the famous Duck Walk.
In October, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum presented Mr. Berry with its highest award: the American Music Masters Award. He was one of its first inductees in 1986.
Like many other music legends, Mr. Berry went through his share of troubles — including jail time — but that didn’t stop fans from loving and supporting him.
It’s wonderful that the younger generation knows his music and shows up to see him play.
St. Louis has always been home to Mr. Berry, who was born and reared in a North St. Louis neighborhood known as “The Ville.” Today, he and his wife, Themetta, live in Ladue.
Mr. Berry still performs once a month at Blueberry Hill Restaurant and Bar in the Delmar Loop.
Another legendary band I had the pleasure to hang out with was Heartsfield, a Chicago-based band that was in St. Louis for one of their many concerts in the area.
Heartsfield consists of Andon Davis, Dave Nelson, Scott Bonshire, Freddie Dobbs and Steve Eddington, who happens to be my uncle. They still have a following of fans from over the years.
Heartsfield plays at the House of Rock and other local bars. They have toured with Gypsy and performed at Pop’s Nightclub and Concert Venue in Sauget, Ill.
When you really enjoy music, it is an amazing experience to go to a concert at a small venue, where the audience is closer to the band. You can actually see how much they enjoy playing and singing.
It’s so apparent that their work means more than just a paycheck. Hearing fans scream and applaud is music in itself. That is the beauty of rock ‘n’ roll.
Many people have asked why I don’t care for listening to the newer groups such as Sublime or ICP. The truth is, I can’t stand them.
Give me Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Ozzy Ozborne, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and other true greats. Heartsfield and Chuck Berry are two of the greatest.
No matter who you are or what you listen to, one thing will always be true: Good rock ‘n’ roll never dies.