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Peter Klaunzer/Keystone via AP, File
World News

Christian record label joins tributes to Chuck Berry

by Aaron James

Integrity Music Europe joined artists including Mick Jagger, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, the Jacksons and Bruce Springsteen in paying homage to Berry.

On Saturday paramedics were called in an emergency to his home near St Louis, his hometown in Missouri, but could not save his life.

Chuck Berry has been known as the "Father of Rock 'n' Roll" because of his guitar riffs, the way he melded guitar-playing with singing, and the story-telling - and occasionally provocative - nature of his lyrics.

Beginning his musical career in the 1950s, he's widely credited with influencing musicians like the Beatles, Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones.

Michele Limina/Keystone via AP
AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau

Berry was known for an energetic stage presence and his 'duck-walk' - a one-legged hop he often did during his performances. Some of his most famous songs include Johnny B. Goode, Maybellene and Rock and Roll Music.

Rolling Stone magazine rated the musician number five in its 2004 list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Les Moir, the Artistic and Repertoire Manager for Integrity Music Europe, told Premier: "Chuck Berry was the innovator. He was the pioneer. He was the first guy to play guitar like that and also to sing story Rock and Roll.

"The spiritual lesson is if you hear music in your heart, to make it. Obviously he was hearing something in his heart, an expression... and through that he inspired a whole generation of music makers.

"The spiritual thing for me would be if you hear a sound, in worship or wherever, would be to express that and not to hold back in that. You never know how God will use that."

Listen to Premier's Aaron James speaking to Les Moir:

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