Roll over Frank Ocean and tell Beyoncé the news. Chuck Berry proved that the surprise album announcement is not solely the preserve of young artists when he announced the release of his first album in 38 years.
The rock’n’roll legend picked his 90th birthday, on Tuesday, to reveal details of his new album, Chuck. Released on the Nashville-based label Dualtone, the album is the belated follow-up to Rock It, which came out in 1979.
Details of the record were scanty, but a statement said that it would consist mainly of new material written and produced by Berry. It was recorded in St Louis, the musician’s hometown.
Chuck Berry: from enduring Jim Crow to a comeback album at age 90 Read more Berry dedicated the album to his wife of 58 years, Thelmetta, implying that it would be his last. “This record is dedicated to my beloved Toddy,” the singer said in his statement. “My darlin’ I’m growing old! I’ve worked on this record for a long time. Now I can hang up my shoes!”
Chuck also features Berry’s children, Charles Berry Jr and Ingrid, on guitar and harmonica. Charles said: “What an honor to be part of this new music. The St Louis band, or as dad called us ‘the Blueberry Hill Band,’ fell right into the groove and followed his lead. These songs cover the spectrum from hard driving rockers to soulful thought provoking time capsules of a life’s work.”
The album will be released next year.
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