I had heard good things about this Chuck Berry documentary ever since it came out, but never had the chance to watch it until last night when it aired on Palladia. It was really entertaining and a revealing look at arguably the first rock-n-roll legend both looking back, and preparing for a big show. A few people have mentioned Chuck's frequently combative attitude during the rehearsals with Keith Richards, who was musical director for the concert being held on his then 60th birthday, but putting two ornery SOB's together like Berry and Richards was bound to cause some sparks. Guess what? Chuck's human! But the respect and reverence is still overriding. I think, all things considered, the show came out perfect. Yes, there were a few flubs and Chuck changing keys and messing with the band's arrangement has been interpreted as him trying to undermine Keith, and maybe even the movie's producers, but I think he just always rolled that way in keeping the free spirit of the music. There are many r-n-r legends (BB King, Jerry Lee Lewis, etc.) who prefer limited rehearsals to keep them sharp. After all, it's Hail Hail Rock-n-Roll, not Hail, Hail Classical Music. The fact that all these years Chuck has showed up at gigs and just playing "Chuck Berry Music" shows his disdain for too much preparation, often traveling with no band and playing gigs with pick-up musicians, who should know this music pretty well. Pretty ballsy and like a true musician to me. It was a great document of a man who may not be around for too many more years, so it's great that this movie is there for future r-n-r and music historians to refer to. The tunes are as delightful as ever, very witty and sharp, loads of fun, and while it probably wasn't necessary to bring on Julian Lennon, Rondstadt, Clapton, Cray, etc. to the stage, it helped break up the monotony of many songs which sound very similar, and to rave up the already jubilant crowd. Chuck's stage performance and presence shows what a true entertainer he is to the core. Also loved the Diddley, Richard and Berry summit. Was great just to see those pioneers all together and sharing memories. Too bad they didn't show up at the concert! I think Taylor Hackford is a talented visionary, as films like this and his 'Ray' show, he has a reverence for the music that comes across as interested in both the talent and the flaws of his subjects. One reviewer said he thought Taylor was obviously starstruck and biased, only trying to deify him, but if this were true, many of the rehearsal 'disagreements' and Chuck's overbearing instructions on how to play a riff a certain way, as well as his cutting off Hackford when mentioning his marriage and prison sentence, simply would not have remained in the film. Anyway, I found the film fascinating, as well as Chuck's very amusing tours of his home and property, and if you're wondering about the origins of rock, and the first rock singer/songwriter/guitarist to lead the way, check out Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock-n-Roll!

To hear Bruce Springsteen say he first heard Chuck Berry via the music of the Stones makes me feel ancient. I was thirteen when I first heard Chuck Berry on a car radio in 1955 jamming out "Maybelline," the first true rock song I had ever heard. This was before the King, Elvis, signed with RCA and popularized the rock 'n' roll sound for us all.In celebration of his sixtieth birthday, Chuck, with the help of friends, rocks out with many of his creations. The Berry rifts are still fast and furious but there is now an air of cynicism that was absent at the creation. Those unfamiliar with the early Berry sound should check out the original recordings to hear Chuck wail out his affirmation of youth and beauty. "Sweet Little Sixteen" was written and performed by Chuck Berry when he was thirty two years old; yet the rocker captures the innocence and lust of being young and carefree. Chuck continued through his music to invent many of the terms and lingo of the youth culture taking shape at the time. The only other recording artist of the day to even come close to Chuck Berry's lyrics of teen angst and a vocabulary to accompany it was Carl Perkins.Chuck Berry was a seminal artist in the early history of rock 'n' roll. His approach was revolutionary, not just rebellious. Listen to the words of "Roll Over Beethoven." Chuck is stating emphatically that the new movement in American music is not merely a fad as critics would have it but a complete overhaul in musical standards: "...and tell Tschaikowsky the news." One of the highlights of "Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll" is seeing and hearing the three pioneers of early rock exchanging barbs and ideas with each other. Bo Diddley, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry discuss the white cover versions of black songs so prevalent in the record industry of the 1950's. Bo Diddley tries to keep an open mind about it all, for example, saying that Dick Clark couldn't showcase a mixed dance crowd on his "American Bandstand" because the producers wouldn't permit it. Little Richard interjects humor into the proceedings when he talks about white-shoes Pat Boone crooning "Tutti Frutti," making the salacious lyrics, "Awopbopaloobopalopbamboom," sound like light opera. Little Richard comments with a smile that he got over Pat Boone bowdlerizing "Tutti Frutti" only to have him expropriate "Long Tall Sally" ducking back in the alley. Chuck Berry, on the other hand, is militant and angry about the theft of property by the white record producers from black artists.Chuck Berry has good reason to be so adamant in his denunciation of the racial overtones that existed in the record business of the 50's, for he suffered not just monetary loss as a result; his private life suffered too. Chuck wouldn't talk about his run-ins with the law for director Taylor Hackford, saying that he would discuss it in its proper context but not across an office desk. Chuck made a fantastic comeback in 1964 following a prison term resulting from a setup engineered by the government. Since Chuck refuses to comment on it, we may never know for sure exactly what happened.One of Chuck's songs that stands out today is "Too Much Monkey Business." When Chuck recorded this in 1956, it represented, to my knowledge, the first rock 'n' roll protest song, several years before Bob Dylan would turn the rock world around with his protest-oriented music. Only one other protest rock song of any significance came out during the early days of rock 'n' roll. That was the Coasters' "What About Us?" not nearly as good as "Too Much Monkey Business." There are better rock concert films around, the quintessence being "The Last Waltz," but this is the only place where rock fans can get a glimpse of the legendary Chuck Berry in all his glory accompanied by some of the best musicians in the business. It's easy to understand why NASA put "Johnny B. Goode" on the Voyager Golden Record as the best example of American Rock 'n' Roll.

Incredible to only seeing it now! VHS from the library. Can watch the "confrontation" scene between Chuck and Keith over and over! It's like minutes 33-37 with Chuck serious mind-fudging' with Keith over this cool riff in "Carol" Just over and over and over. That guitar should have gone directly over Chuck Berry's head with a bigger bang! Though maybe there is a subtle different from the first try to the final approval. Beats me, but teaching Keith? Never thought I'd see that!What a fun movie and SO well done! Chuck Berry is just a genius, but a total lunatic and not what you'd call a people person! Just wildly good history. Glad it will be there as documentation.

This is an excellent music documentary about Chuck Berry and people who is inspired by him and his way to play the guitar. Its mix of live conserts, interviews and the scene when Chuck is teaching Keith Richard the riff for "Oh Carol" is probably the best i have seen. This is a "must see" film for anyone who likes music.