Hour 4 of the August 24, 2025 Blues Before Sunrise broadcast is dedicated to one of the most pivotal figures in American music: Chuck Berry. While debates continue about whether Berry should be classified strictly as a blues artist, there is no denying his deep roots in the tradition. He recorded for the Chess Brothers, played with powerhouse drummers Fred Below and Odie Payne, and bridged the raw emotion of blues with the infectious drive of rock & roll. This set doesn’t dig into obscurities — instead, it celebrates the songs that shook the world, the tracks that many listeners first heard long before they discovered blues proper.
The spotlight begins with Berry’s breakout single, “Maybellene.” Adapted from a country fiddle tune, this was Berry’s way of bringing rhythm & blues into dialogue with country & western, creating something fresh that would define rock & roll. It’s fast, it’s witty, and it still crackles with energy. He quickly shifts the mood with “Wee Wee Hours,” a slower, blues-soaked piece that demonstrates his ability to deliver emotional depth as well as uptempo fire.
Berry’s “Thirty Days” and “You Can’t Catch Me” follow, each reinforcing his storytelling power. His lyrics painted vivid pictures of teenage life, cars, love, and rebellion — all filtered through a blues sensibility that kept his music grounded. The sly humor of “No Money Down” and the punchy “Brown-Eyed Handsome Man” showcase his skill at writing songs that were both danceable and clever.
No Chuck Berry set would be complete without “Roll Over Beethoven.” Here, Berry declared the youth revolution outright, signaling that rock & roll was taking its place alongside classical music in the cultural conversation. “Too Much Monkey Business” pushed the same energy further, its rapid-fire delivery laying groundwork for the vocal cadences of later rock and even rap.
Berry also wasn’t afraid to experiment, as shown in “Havana Moon.” With its Caribbean-inspired rhythm, the song illustrates Berry’s willingness to absorb diverse influences. Meanwhile, the instrumental “Deep Feeling” highlights his skill as a guitarist — a slow blues that many fans consider one of his most underrated performances.
The spotlight then dives back into pure rock & roll with “School Days,” “Rock & Roll Music,” and “Oh Baby Doll.” Each one has become a cultural standard, teaching generations of young players how to structure a song, use rhythm, and drive a band.
Berry’s canon of teenage anthems reaches its peak with “Sweet Little Sixteen,” “Reelin’ & Rockin’,” and, of course, “Johnny B. Goode.” The latter, perhaps the most famous rock & roll song ever recorded, cemented Berry’s place in history with its tale of a poor country boy who could play the guitar “just like ringing a bell.” That song alone inspired countless players — from Keith Richards to Jimi Hendrix — to pick up the instrument.
The hour closes with “Memphis Tennessee,” a bittersweet story song that balances humor and heartbreak. Beneath its upbeat sound is a tale of family separation and longing, proving that Berry could balance lighthearted rock with poignant storytelling.
Hour 4 isn’t just a trip down memory lane; it’s a reminder of how Chuck Berry’s fusion of blues roots, poetic lyrics, and irresistible rhythm became the DNA of modern rock & roll. By spotlighting these classics, Blues Before Sunrise celebrates not only a legend but also the enduring influence of the blues on everything that followed.
Hour 4 Playlist – Chuck Berry Spotlight
- Maybellene – Chuck Berry
- Wee Wee Hours – Chuck Berry
- Thirty Days – Chuck Berry
- You Can’t Catch Me – Chuck Berry
- No Money Down – Chuck Berry
- Brown-Eyed Handsome Man – Chuck Berry
- Roll Over Beethoven – Chuck Berry
- Too Much Monkey Business – Chuck Berry
- Havana Moon – Chuck Berry
- Deep Feeling – Chuck Berry
- School Days – Chuck Berry
- Rock & Roll Music – Chuck Berry
- Oh Baby Doll – Chuck Berry
- Sweet Little Sixteen – Chuck Berry
- Reelin’ & Rockin’ – Chuck Berry
- Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry
- Memphis Tennessee – Chuck Berry