I saw Chuck Berry at the Hordern Pavilion back in 1977. He was touring with Bo Diddley. Berry was up first, he came on and played the mandated 45 minute set, backed by local musos, and then left the stage. There was no encore - Chuck never did encores - but he payed his songs well and put on a good show, but didn’t go out of his way to do any more than he had to.

Because of rip offs and other bad experiences, he would only perform after being paid up front by the promoter in cash, US greenbacks, and if the terms of the contract weren’t followed to the letter he’d walk out.

Chuck Berry was bitter that he never got the recognition he deserved for his influence on the course of popular music, and he was right.

By contrast, Bo Diddley did a two hour set, with his own band and supported by his daughter. He came back and did two encores, and invited Berry to join him, which of course he didn’t do. It was a great concert all told, but Chuck Berry performed to expectations, while Bo Diddley blew them away brilliantly. As well as rock and roll Bo Diddley played blues and funk, covers as well as his own songs, and he had the audience eating out of his hands.

Hard to believe that gig was 40 years ago.

Tony G

> On 22 Mar 2017, at 4:46 pm, jeffrey boundsjebounds@... [TramsDownUnder] TramsDownUnder@...> wrote:

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> He had some good songs.

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> Sent from my iPhone

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> On 22 Mar 2017, at 3:45 PM,jg62430@... mailto:jg62430@yahoo.com.au [TramsDownUnder] TramsDownUnder@... mailto:TramsDownUnder@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

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>> Chuck Berry b. 18 October 1926. Vera Lynn b. 20 March 1917. Chuck was into his teens in the 1940s and his early hits were 60 years ago.

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>> Alex C

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