The Chuck Berry Collectors Blog

CBID is the Chuck Berry International Directory, a 2.200 page pile of Chuck Berry records information published in four volumes between 2008 and 2013. For details see the bibliography section of this site.

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: CBID lists and shows Chuck Berry Vinyl and CD releases from all over the world. While our list is pretty complete, from time to time some rare releases pop up from which I hadn't heard before - such as these:

UK

BIO / CHUCK BERRY ‘75
Beat Goes On BGOCD-1459 ● 2021

It says Digitally Remastered but I don’t know as I haven’t heard it. Anyway, it’s the two original LPs which follows the series on BGO that started back in the mid ‘90s. See page 211 and pages 215-217. Plus page 1984.

INDIA

78rpm

Rock And Roll Music / Blue Feeling (instr)
London HL-M. 8531 ● 1957

IRELAND

78rpm

School Day / Deep Feeling (instr)
Columbia DB(I) 3951 ● Ireland, 1957

Black label, white print.
Photo thanks to Thierry Chanu.

ITALY

LP

CHUCK BERRY’s GOLDEN DECADE
Cadet (Durium) D.30-152 ● 1967

Maybellene / Johnny B. Goode / Nadine / Roll Over Beethoven / Thirty days / No Particular Place To Go /Memphis, Tennessee / School Day / Too Much Monkey Business / Bye Bye Johnny / Sweet Little Sixteen / Anthony Boy / Back In The USA

As you can see this is a single record. The front cover is the same as the first issue of the US Golden Decade album, gold record with no titles printed. Everything is in el.stereo, very bad sound. The label colour is the dark blue/white one.
It’s printed 1967 on the labels and on the proof pressing shown which means that what I heard way back that there were no Berry albums released in Italy in the ‘60s is wrong. Later 1970s pressings have a slightly different label listing the local copyright control association SIAE instead of the multi-national BIEM.

Which also means that the “Back Home” album on page 2003 is from 1970.

JAPAN

LP

CHUCK BERRY’s GREATEST HITS
Globe (Chess) JET-7198 ● 1964

No Particular Place To Go / You Never Can Tell / Maybellene / Nadine / Brenda Lee / You Two / Memphis, Tennessee / Sweet Little Sixteen / Roll Over Beethoven / Rock And Roll Music / Johnny B. Goode / Brown Eyed Handsome Man (1961 version)

Refering to page 374. The tracks are of course not the same as the US release Chess LP-1485, as you can easily see. I didn’t have this album back then and unfortunately I messed it up when writing. Anyway, it really says The Best of Chuck Berry on the back cover and on the label. As far as I can see this was the very first Berry LP issued in Japan. Including “No Particular Place To Go” and “You Never Can Tell” were wise, however, “You Two” and “Brenda Lee” were not, even though they were B-sides of the first two tracks. The front cover is the same as the US LP-1485 with the yellow sticker.
For some strange reason they included the 1961 version of “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” (from the On Stage album with the audience noise).
This particular album was also issued in Taiwan in two different disguises, see pages 475-476, and also this blog.

SOUTH AFRICA

LP

LIVE AT THE FILLMORE AUDITORIUM
Fontana STL-201 ● April 1968

The whole cover looks like it was copied from the issue in Netherlands (Fontana Int. 858 047 FPY) and not USA. Nothing is mentioned on the cover or label that this is from South Africa, but IT IS.
This is mentioned on page 2019 in Vol. 4 but I didn’t have the album at the time but here it is:

SOUTH KOREA

LP

CHUCK BERRY’S GREATEST HITS
Seill SL-137 (Tae Do Record Co.) ● mid 1960s

This looks very much like the ones from Taiwan. Thin paper jacket, however, it has an open folio sleeve with an art work for a George Jones album on the opposite side. Same tracks as the original US Chess LP.

There are still records out there that we have never seen or heard of. It’s a strange world.

CBID is the Chuck Berry International Directory, a 2.200 page pile of Chuck Berry records information published in four volumes between 2008 and 2013. For details see the bibliography section of this site.

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: Spending days on discogs and 45cat resulted in a large list of cover versions to be added. Some of the following entries are additions or corrections to the corresponding descriptions in the book or in previous blog posts.

Many new entries this time. It’s amazing that Berry’s music has received such a status among all kinds of artists and groups. As you will notice there are a lot of mixed musical styles among the over 60 new covers. Both discogs and 45cat are places I have found many of them. It’s a whole new world out there when it comes to searching for singles and albums.

The Dutch heavy rock group Bintangs was featured in Vol. 3 of CBID with three cover versions. Now it goes to show they have recorded a lot more. We can add 6 more covers. They have even included a cover version in their new CD titled “These Hands” that came out in September 2021.

The group The Yellow Dogs from Japan have also recorded a lot of Berry tunes. I found one single and when searching discogs I happen to find several more. How did I miss that back in the days of cover searching? Actually that goes for Bintangs too. However, the internet is a completely different thing today than it was yesterday.

I would like to make your attention to a girl trio called Skeleton Dolls on You Tube were they talk about Chuck Berry regarding his 90th birthday and they also do a live version of “Thirty Days”. It’s interesting to listen to young people, and especially girls, talking about Chuck’s legacy to the world of music, with passion and enthusiasm. It gives people like me satisfaction that there is actually a hope for the future.

LEE AARON (Canada)

Real name Karen Lynn Greening. Heavy rock singer, born in Belleville, Ontario in 1962. Known as Metal Queen, but she’s also released jazz oriented albums. In the 1980s and early ‘90s she had several hits on the Canadian charts.

Run Rudolph Run (2:32) 2020

CD: Almost Christmas [Big Sister Records ] ● Canada, 2020

This album is only available through her website.

ANDREW SIXTY (Italy)

Three guys who’s into techno, mixes and you name it. We’ll leave it at that.

Johnny B. Goode (3:38) 1994

CD: Andrew Sixty [House Records Rap HR-001-1] ● Brazil, 1994

Vocals: Andrea Alberghi.

Johnny B. Goode (5:21) 1994 (dance mix)

12” 45: Jukebox Records JBR-001 ● Italy, 1994

Vocals: Andrea Alberghi. This 12” was actually released in many various countries, like Mexico, Australia/New Zealand and Spain.

BILL BERRY (Belgium)

Johnny B. Goode (as “Johnny Be Good”) ( : ) 1970

45: Monopole S. 103 ● Belgium, 1970 (picture sleeve)

Haven’t got a clue, except that on both sides of the label his name is Bill Derry (!) On the sleeve it clearly shows Johnny B. as the A-side but on the label it’s the B-side. It’s also printed on the front sleeve: The American Rock Racket!
Still a little confused?

BINTANGS (Netherlands)

See Volume 3, page 1075 for biographical info.

Bye Bye Johnny (4:43) 1996 (live)
Soul Rockin’ (3:40) 1996 (live)
Run Rudolph Run (2:48) 1996 (live) Bonus track

2-CD: Dynamite Night [Bananas Records 48397 2] ● Netherlands, 1996

Recorded live at Paradiso, Amsterdam on 27 January 1996. It contained a bonus CD with 4 tracks including “Run Rudolph Run”.

It Wasn’t Me (3:14) 2002

CD: La Femme Sans Tête [AG Music AGM-1267] ● Netherlands, 2002

It Wasn’t Me (2:54) 2018 (live)

CD: It’s A Nightmare [Miller Records MILLCD-001] ● Netherlands, 2018
LP: It’s A Nightmare [Miller Records MILLCD-009] ● Netherlands, 2018

Back To Memphis (3:41) 2021

CD: These Hands [Miller Records MILLCD-002] ● Netherlands, 2021

Good to see that they picked a more obscure Berry track for this new album that came out in September 2021.

There’s also a bootleg out titled “Live At The Dorpshuis, Ruinerworld”, Netherlands, recorded 3 March 1979, featuring four Berry covers: Run Rudolph Run, I’m A Rocker, Soul Rockin’, Bye Bye Johnny. The sound quality is okay if you’re a fan.

BOMB SQUADRON (USA)

Heavy metal rock band from Reading, Pennsylvania, formed in 1994.

Run Rudolph Run (2:47) 1997 Noise!

EP: More Bad News [Final Vinyl Records 006] ● Germany, 1997

Recorded 3. August 1997 at Snugfit Studio, Richboro, Pennsylvania. A limited edition of 300 copies on pink vinyl.

CD: Another Generation Found 1994-1998 [Doppelganger Records DGR-003] ● USA, 2005

This is their entire studio history.

BREAKAWAYS (New Zealand)

Beat, R&B, rock quartet from Wellington.

Johnny B. Goode (2:22) 1965

45: W&G S-2349 ● New Zealand, 1965

Recorded in Australia.

Guitar Boogie (1:55) 1966 (instr)
I’m Talking About You [as “Talkin’ About You”] (2:38) 1966
Little Queenie (2:27) 1966

LP: Let’s Take A Sea Cruise! [His Masters Voice MCLP-6221] ● New Zealand, 1966
CD: Let’s Take A Sea Cruise! / Album Two [EMI 7243 8 21714] ● New Zealand, 1997

Regarding Guitar Boogie, they have almost followed Berry’s arrangement to the point but the good beat is not there.

GUST BROUX (Belgium)

Memphis, Tennessee (as “De Pisbak”) (2:07) 1982

45: A.B. Records AB-601 ● Belgium, 1982 (picture sleeve)

Strange sound with minimal beat and flat singing, almost country style.

BURNING (Spain)

Popular hard rock band from Madrid founded in 1974.

Johnny B. Goode (2:52) 1974

45: Movieplay SN-20.940 ● Spain, 1974 (picture sleeve)

Their English pronunciation is so terrible I actually first thought they were singing in Spanish !!! But they are enthusiastic.

ALAN BURTON (USA)

He’s probably a rock singer regarding the A-side below which is on You Tube.

Rock And Roll Music ( : ) 1973

45: Crimson no cat no ● USA, 1973

Recorded at Paul Greys House of Hits, Chattanooga, Tennessee. The A-side is titled “Sunshine, You’ll Love It” written by Burton and Ron Bradley.

CAROL (Japan)

Rock’n’roll quartet.

Johnny B. Goode (3:09) 1975

45: Philips FS-1522 ● Japan, 1975 (picture sleeve)

Strange name for a male band.

CASEY AND THE PRESSURE GROUP (Netherlands)

Rock, soul, funk quartet.

Memphis, Tennessee ( : ) 1972

45: Polydor 2050 229 ● Netherlands, 1972 (picture sleeve)
LP: Memphis Revisited [Polydor 2925 010] ● Netherlands, 1972

The album recorded 27 & 28 June 1972, at Sound Push Studio's in Blaricum.

CHANDLER & The CHASERS (Spain)

Not sure about Spain.

Promised Land (as “Promise Land”) (2:49) 2012

Various EP: We Want To Be Black Vol.1 [Fole Records FOLC. 012] ● Spain, 2012

The other artists on the EP are: Lord Rochester, The Clams, Guadalupe Plata. The sleeve has pictures of Bo Diddley and Otis Redding.

CHAPLIN BAND (Netherlands)

Five guys all dressed up and looking like Charlie Chaplin (excuse me) ! At least on the single in question (below). A side is titled “Don’t You Wanna Be My Girl”, written by the band. This pop/disco group from Maastricht have had several singles and three albums out . They were formed in 1976 by brothers Jo and John Bartels.

Memphis, Tennessee (3:12) 1976

45: EMI Holland 5C006-25377 ● Netherlands, 1976 (picture sleeve)

Sorry to say but you don’t wanna hear this.

CLASSIC ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BAND (Czechoslovakia)

Rock’n’roll revival group, formed in late 1970s by Josef Pilař in Prague.

Roll Over Beethoven (2:30) 1984

EP: Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll Band [Panton 8133 0166] ● Czechoslovakia, 1984

Memphis, Tennessee ( : ) 1991

LP: Classic Rock ‘n’ Band [Globus International 21 0056-1 311] ● Czechoslovakia, 1991

They also do a cover of “Route 66” which is probably in the Berry/Stones way.

COPLEY, JEFFRIES & REID (USA)

See TRIANGLES.

GERARD COX (Netherlands)

Now here is a singer who’s been around for awhile. His first record I found was from 1962, and he’s had records out in the next four decades.

No Particular Place To Go (as “Fijn D’r Vandoor In M’n Automobiel”) (2:30) 1990

45: EMI 12 7527 7 ● Netherlands, 1990 (picture sleeve)
CD: Favorieten Expres [Universal Music 080 861-7] ● Netherlands, 2020

CZERWONO CZARNI (Poland)

This is a rock-beat band formed in 1960 and is one of the pioneers of Polish popular music. The band lasted until 1976, but played at their 50th Anniversary in 2010. On the CD cover below six guys are pictured, but I have also seen the band as a quintet...

Sweet Little Sixteen (3:27) 1961

EP: Elevator Rock [Pronit N-0169] ● Poland, 1961
2-CD: 40 Przebojów [Polskie Nagrania Muza PNCD-1297 A/B] ● Poland, 2010

Interesting to see that they covered a Berry song as early as 1961 and at 3 minutes and 27 seconds. But the result just sounds funny, however, to give the guys a little credit, the piano player is pretty good. On the 2010 release the Berry track is a bonus cut on CD 2.

DOCTOR EXPLOSION (Spain)

Garage rock trio from Gijón formed in 1989. Jorge Muñoz-Cobo (guitar, vocals), Angel Kaplan (bass), Pablo Gonzalez (drums). They have had many singles and albums out since 1990.

Let It Rock (as "Déjalo Sacudirse") (1:43) 1992 (live)

EP: Thunderpussy TH-002 ● Spain, 1992

They tried to do it their way and pretty much made it. The EP came out in three different colours on the cover, one is red, then blue and finally purple.

Beautiful Delilah (2:12) 2004

EP: The Chesterfield Childish Club [Soundflat Records SFR-45-013] ● Spain, 2009

DREADFUL SNAKES (Canada)

Not sure about who this is. This is probably a rock band since the other side of the 45 is “A Fool In Love” written by Ike Turner. (Just so it’s mentioned, there’s a bluegrass group, The Dreadful Snakes, who had an album out in 1995 titled “Snakes Alive”.)

Carol (as “Oh Carol”) (2:35) 1978

45: Snake Records SR 1 / SR 2 ● Canada, 1978

Recorded at Comfort Sound in Toronto, Ontario, October 1978. Produced by T. C. Wilkins.

EL COBRAS (USA)

The two songs are described as surf-rock. This seems to be their only output(?)

Guitar Boogie (2:18) 1964 (instr)

45: Essar Records E-714 ● USA, 1964

This version lacks everything, no feeling, no beat and no drive and even has an organ. The B-side, also an instrumental, is titled “Oh Yeah”.

CONNY & DANNY FABRY (Belgium)

Husband and wife who had a lot of records out in the ‘80s and ‘90s, both as a duo and by themselves. Conny (real name Christine Truyens) born 1952, Danny (real name Robert Esseldeurs) born 1948. They divorced in the early ‘90s.

You Never Can Tell (as “Zo Is Het Leven” [C’est La Vie]) (3:22) 1985

45: Limbo Records 5317 ● Belgium, 1985 (picture sleeve)

They have followed the Emmylou Harris arrangement.

FREE WILL (USA)

Rock quintet. Joe Whiting (vocals, tenor saxophone), Mark Doyle ( lead guitar, vocals, piano), Bill Irvin (rhythm guitar, vocals), John DeMaso (bass), Tom Glaister (drums).

Chuck Berry Medley (10:20) 1969

2-LP set: Cold Cold Morning [Grail Records Production GRL-301/2] ● USA, 2017

Songs are: Rock And Roll Music / Around And Around / Nadine / School Day / Thirty Days. Between each song they repeat “Rock And Roll Music” in shorter snippets. Recorded in New York , November 1969. I like this one!

FUTURE DREAM (Austria)

Quintet.

Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1974

45: Koch Records (self released) ● Austria, 1974

3 tracks.

GANGBANGS (Netherlands) ?

Searching for this band online is pretty hopeless. There is other stuff that pops up, I tell you. (However, on discogs another variation (alias) turns up, CPC Gangbangs which hails from Canada and have 8 singles and 1 album out from 2006 – 2009.)

Beautiful Delilah ( : ) 2002

45: High School Refuse Records HSR-014 ● Netherlands, 2002 (picture sleeve)

GROOVIE GHOULIES (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1223 for biographical info.
Refering to what I wrote about this track, it has come to my attention that it was actually released on a 3 track vinyl single back in 1997.

Trick Or Treat (1:32) 1997

45: Lookout! Records LK-186 ● USA, 1997 (picture sleeve)

3 tracks on orange vinyl, coupled with “Graveyard Girlfriend” and “Devil Town”. It says it was recorded at Sonic Iguana, Lafayette, Indiana.

GIBASDRA (Sweden)

It seems like they are a dance band type of thing, however, they look like a rock band.

You Never Can Tell (as “Monsieur Pierre”) ( : ) 1971

45: California C-5061 (PS) ● Sweden, 1971

Mari-Anne Sjöberg is doing the vocals here. I haven’t heard this but the Swedish title is identical to the one by the Streaplers from 1970.

HIGHWAY (Netherlands)

Sounds and looks like a dance band.

Thirty Days (as “Oh, Jenny Girl”) (2:23) 1981

45: Menopole S. 1900 ● Belgium, 1981 (picture sleeve)
LP: Holland Rock En Rolland 1 [CNR 541 697] ● Netherlands, 1984

This is the same version as the one by John Lamers & The Skyliners back in 1963 but then titled “Kom Terug”.
See also JOHN LAMERS

I.O.W. CHEROKEES (UK)

I.O.W. stands for Isle Of Wight. Beat group.

Anthony Boy ( : ) 1966

45: 69 Club 69-EP-001 ● UK, 1966

Recorded at Olympic Sound Studios 17 April 1966.

RUSS JEFFERS & BECKY (USA)

Husband and wife bluegrass duo. Russ Jeffers (vocals. Guitar), Becky Jeffers (ac.bass), James McKInney (banjo), Craig Duncan (fiddle). They have released six albums.

Memphis, Tennessee (as “Memphis”) (2:29) 1975 (live)

EP: Lee-Ann Records L-1001 ● USA, 1975
LP: Russ & Becky Jeffers At Opryland [Lee-Ann Records (NR-6062)] ● USA, 1975

A little confusing info here. The EP above has only Russ Jeffers, but all the songs on the EP are on the LP. The LP says only Russ Jeffers on the front cover and labels. On the back cover it says Russ and Becky with pictures of them both. There’s no cat.no. The NR-number refered to is the mastering number from Nashville Record Productions.

KEENS (Italy)

Garage rock quartet, Luca Burranca (vocals, harmonica, maracas), Andrea Caruso (guitar), Adriano Izzo (bass), Efisio Pistis (drums).

Beautiful Delilah (1:58) 2006

45: Psych-Out Records PO-45018 ● Italy, 2007 (picture sleeve)

3 tracks, recorded at Dream Studios, Turin, on 24 June 2006.

KING AUTOMATIC (France)

He was the drummer in a French punk band called Thundercrack, now he’s a one-man band playing garage rock. But I have been unable to find his real name.

You Never Can Tell (2:28) 2015

EP: Havin’ A Whole Lot Of Fun [Futuropolis 250043] ● France, 2015

2 songs by King Automatic and 2 songs by Johnny Jano. Recorded March 2015 at Studios Duroc in Nancy.

KOFFERS (Netherlands)

Rock quartet.

Rock And Roll Music (as “Rock ‘N Roll Music”) (2:53) 1989

45: D & K DK-89001 ● Netherlands, 1989 (picture sleeve)

The song has a goode drive and they perform and sing well.

JOHN LAMERS And The Skyliners (Netherlands)

He’s had a lot of singles out during the years, starting in 1960 up to the early ‘80s. And also a few albums.

Thirty Days (as “Kom Terug”) (2:27) 1963

45: CNR UH-9630 ● Netherlands, 1963
LP: Crazy Love With John Lamers [CNR GA-5050] ● Netherlands, 1964

See also HIGHWAY

LES JERRYS (France)

Beat quintet

Bye Bye Johnny ( : ) 1966
Nadine (3:11) 1966

EP: Les Jerrys [Camelon Records CAME-17] ● France, 2015

Original test pressing from May 1966, previously unissued. Good grief !!! This should have stayed in the can.

LES SHAZAMS (France)

Instrumental quartet.

Memphis, Tennessee (as “Memphis”) (2:23) 1966

EP: Memphis [DMF 26 445] ● France, 1966

This sounds very sweet and reminded me of the Swedish instrumental group The Spotnicks.

LOS EXOTICOS (Spain)

See Volume 3, page 1037 for biographical info.
And yes, that’s Dave Allen & The Exotics. The EP below is the same as the one on page 1037, but released as a special publicity record where at least the Berry cover runs a little too fast, see timing. And take notice that Dave Allen in question was the American singer/guitarist.

Sweet Little Rock And Roller (2:09) 1966

EP: El Ritmo Liverpool [Disco Sorpresa Fundador 10.127] ● Spain, 1967 (picture sleeve)

LOS MAGNATES (Denmark)

See Volume 3, page 1348 for biographical info.
Now here again is a strange one, as this is actually the Danish group Matadorerne released in Spain in disguise of being a Spanish group, which they are NOT. And if you add the two other names for this group you have four to collect, The Matadors or Bobby Winson & The Matadors.

Memphis, Tennessee (2:09) 1965

45: Belter 51.499 ● Spain, 1965

I haven’t heard this version but I reckon they are singing in English and this is the same as the one mentioned on page 1348.

LOS SIREX (Spain)

I’m Talking About You (as “Si, Lo Hago Por Ti”) (1:48) 1966

45: Vergara 45.143 ● Spain, 1966

The guys do a pretty good job of it. Recorded in stereo.

GREGG MARTINEZ (USA)

From Lafayette, Louisiana. He’s been performing for nearly five decades and released some 13 albums.

You Never Can Tell (3:28) 2011

CD: South Of The Parish Line [Magnolia/Massacre Records MR-1101] ● USA, 2011

Run Rudolph Run (3:27) 2021

CD: A MacDaddy Christmas [MacDaddy Productions, LLC ] ● USA, 2021

EDDIE MEDUZA (Sweden)

See Volume 3, page 1359 for biographical info. See also Soundalikes, pages 1850-1851.

Roll Over Beethoven (demo) (1:42) 1979

10” EP: The Lost Tape [Atenzia Records ATZEP-04] ● Sweden, 2016
CD: The Lost Tape [Atenzia Records ATZEP-07] ● Sweden, 2016

This EP contains 6 tracks, all demos from 1979. This is exactly how Eddie wanted to sound.

DAVE MILLER And The Byrds (New Zealand)

Beat quintet. three singles and one EP, all in 1965.

How You’ve Changed (3:12) 1965

45: Zodiac Z45-1220 ● New Zealand, 1965

This I am sure they picked up from the Animals, but interesting nevertheless. And a pretty good version it is.
This makes it the third cover version of this obscure Berry blues ballad;  The Animals in 1965 and George Benson in 2019.

EDDY MITCHELL (France)

See Volume 3, page 1367 for biographical info.

You Never Can Tell (as “C’est la Vie, Fais la Belle”) (3:06) 2021

CD: Country Rock [Polydor Universal Music 366 776 9] ● France, 2021
LP: Country Rock [Polydor Universal Music 366 776 3]* ● France, 2021
LP: Country Rock [Polydor Universal Music 366 777 3]** ● France, 2021

You can listen to this on YouTube. Besides the CD the album is out as an ordinary LP (*) and limited edition (**).

PEARL JAM (USA)

Rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990. Present members: Eddie Vedder (lead vocals-guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), Mike McCready (lead guitar), Jeff Ament (bass), Matt Cameron (drums).
Has sold millions of albums and was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.

Around And Around (3:09) 2017

45: Ten Club TC-2016 ● USA, 2017 (picture sleeve)

2016 Annual single available for Pearl Jam Ten Club analog members. Recorded 30 March 2017, a rehearsal for the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. The A-side was titled ”Alive” from the sound-check on 7 April 2017 for the induction ceremony. Interesting choice since Pearl Jam’s never been in the Berry cover versions before. Again it goes to show…The Berry cover side of the label has a silhouette image of a Berry walking Chuck. Nice. The songs were recorded by Music Mix Mobile and mastered at Resonant Mastering. This is no bootleg. Don’t know if it was for sale in stores, but you’ll find several on eBay.

PONNYS (Switzerland)

Four guys from Frenkendorf, near Basel. Beat instrumental group.

Guitar Boogie ( : ) 1979 (instr)

45: Studiotechnik A.Gysin & Co 4687/4688 AG ● Switzerland, 1979 (picture sleeve)

Now this is a self released little single featuring a cover of the Berry instrumental on one side (B), and “Amapola” on the other side ( A). Always nice to see when bands are covering this Berry boogie, a title it should have had in the first place.

RAMBLERS (West Germany)

There’s been a lot of bands around calling themselves The Ramblers. This seems to be a punk/powerpop band formed early 1977 in Hagen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.

Around And Around (4:00) 1980

45: BB Records 1010 31 ● Switzerland, 1980 (picture sleeve)

The A-side of the single was titled “No Sensation”.

JOHN RUSSELL (Netherlands)

Black singer who had his first single out in 1962 on Philips as John Russels And The Junior Rockers. The single below was his second. He’s released a lot of records throughout the years way up into the ‘90s. Also know as John “Kingsize” Russell and Big John Russell.

Maybellene (as “Mabelline”) (2:45) 1964

45: Fontana 278 075 YF ● Netherlands, 1964 (picture sleeve)

Favorieten Express series.

SAN BERNADINO (Ireland)

Seems like they are/were everything from showband to country to heavy metal. They started in 1975 and have had 6 singles out from 1977-1982.

Tulane ( : ) 1982

45: Evergreen EVS-102 ● Ireland, 1982 (picture sleeve)

In 1981 they released a single titled “I’m A Headbanger” coupled with “Route 66”. The latter being credited to Chuck Berry, would you believe, instead of Bobby Troup.

JOHNNY SEVEN & THE KILOWATTS /USA)

Probably a Texas blues-rock band. This is the only record I have found. The EP below has four tracks including three written by Johnny Seven.

School Day ( : ) 1983

EP: School Days [Black Snake Productions BSP-1002] ● USA, 1983

SIT N’ SPIN (USA)

Four gals from California playing garage rock with a rock’n’roll twist. Heidi Lieb (guitar, vocals), Monica Vargo (guitar, vocals), Meredith Ochs (bass), Maria McKenna (drums). They have several singles and three albums to their credit.

Thirty Days (2:25) 1996

45: Solamente Records XCR-05 ● USA, 1996

JO JO SIWA (USA)

Real name Joelle Joanie Siwa. Born 2003. She’s a dancer, actress, singer and YouTube personality. I have seen a DVD for sale by her. She’s also made a video of the Berry track below, aimed at younger girls. They could download the song through Amazon. And it seems a 1000 copies were made of the actual CD for sale in selected stores.

Run Rudolph Run (2:13) 2020

CD EP: JoJo’s Rockin’ Christmas [Nickelodeon 50 5452 69612 0 3] ● USA, 2020

SLADE (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1511 for biographical info.

Run Rudolph Run (3:31) 2002

CD: Come On Let’s Party! [EMI 5802 382] ● UK, 2002

SMUGGLERS (USA)

Garage punk quintet.

I’m Talking About You (as “Talkin’ ‘Bout You”) ( : ) 1994

45: Pin Up Records 95036 ● Germany, 1995

Recorded 27 April 1994 at Audio Recording, Seattle, Washington. Released on white vinyl (300 copies), red (300) and black (400).

STRYPES (Ireland)

Four young guys with ‘60s long hair, Josh McClorey, Stuart Hardle, Pete O’Hanlon, Evan Walsh. Garage rock.

Beautiful Delilah (1:57) 2012

EP: What A Shame [Virgin EMI 374 9900] ● UK, 2012
3-track CD single: Virgin ASHAMECJ-1 ● UK, 2012
CD: Snapshot [Virgin EMI 375 0949] ● UK, 2013 (deluxe edition)

Speeded up version to the extreme.
You can find more Berry covers with these guys on YouTube, like live versions of “Little Queenie” and “Run Rudolph Run”.

DIANE TARAZ (USA)

Born in the Berkshire hills of Western Massachusetts, she is now living in the Boston area. Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. So far she’s released some 21 albums including various topics, political, history and Christmas.

Johnny B. Goode (3:15) (medley with “Wonderful World” & “Cupid”) (6:25) 2017

CD: Let’s Misbehave! [Raisin Pie Music 41578 2 3] ● USA, 2017

Recorded and mastered at Wellspring Sound in Acton, Massachusetts. Produced by Taraz. It’s a little unusual to combine two Sam Cooke songs with the Berry classic. They really don’t mix well, but she’s doing a goode job of it.

TRIANGLES (USA)

Rock band. Gary Copley (guitar, vocals), Tommy Lee Reid (bass, vocals), Dick Jeffries (drums, vocals) On the single the band is known as Triangles, however, on the album they are known as Copley, Jeffries & Reid. They were a popular trio who performed in the central Ohio and throughout the mid west.

“The Chuck Berry Collection” medley (4:25) 1975

45: Kare Records KS-108 ● USA, 1975
LP: Triangle [Kare Records LPS-330] ● USA, 1975

Songs: Carol / Too Much Monkey Business / Little Queenie / Johnny B. Goode / Nadine / Reelin’ And Rockin’

TRIFFITS (Netherlands)

See volume 3, page 1573 for biographical info. I would add that they were probably a garage rock band who were still learning. But I am sure they had fun.
On this page I referred to the entry as being previously unissued according to the album liner notes. But a 45 turned up and it was actually released as a single in 1966.

Too Much Monkey Business (as “Monkey Business”) (2:35) 1966

45: Delta DS-1175 ● Netherlands, 1966

The Berry track which was the A-side is wrongly credited to one Ruud Tegenhart.

REX TURNER (Australia)

In the ‘50s he was on some 10 singles and EPs, mostly cover versions of American hits. He looks like a crooner although I haven’t heard the actual song so I can’t tell for sure.

School Day ( : ) 1957

78/45: W & G WG-SPN-429 ● Australia, 1957

B-side was “Honky Tonk Song”. Label colour was light green for the 45, and darker red for the 78.

YUYA UCHIDA (Japan)

See Volume 3, page 1580 for biographical info.

Roll Over Beethoven ( : ) 1964

45: Toshiba Records TR-1097 ● Japan, 1964 (picture sleeve)

VIKA AND LINDA (Australia)

Sisters Vika Susan and Linda Rose Bull from Melbourne. Blues and sou/gospel duo who started out back in 1984 as backing vocalists in the group The Black Sorrows (see page 1079-80 in Vol.3). In 1994 they went solo and released their first album, “Vika And Linda”, which went into the Top Ten. So far they have released 7 studio albums, 4 live albums and some 20 singles.

Run Rudolph Run (4:14) 2001

Various CD: The Spirit Of Christmas [Myer Grace Bros MGB-07CD] ● Australia, 2001

It says on the back cover that All profits from the proceeds of this CD will be donated to the Salvation Army of Australia.

Down Bound Train (2:48) 2020

CD: Sunday (The Gospel According To Iso) [Bloodlines BLOOD-78] ● Australia, 2020
LP: Sunday (The Gospel According To Iso) [Bloodlines BLOODLP-78] ● Australia, 2020

Fine version where the girls are singing in harmony to good effect. Australian singer/songwriter Paul Kelly sent the ladies 175 songs several years ago to choose from regarding plans for a gospel album. After some painstaking listening they decided on 12 songs plus an original. The album reached #2 on the Australian album charts, and at the AIR Awards of 2021 it won Best Independent Blues and Roots album. An interesting note is that English music director Cameron Bruce played piano from his home in New South Wales and sent the tracks to Melbourne.

TONY WORSLEY (Australia)

Born Anthony Asheen Worsley in Hastings, England in 1944 and emigrated with his family to Brisbane, Australia when he was 15. He had 3 albums out in 1965-1966, and a whole lotta singles from 1964-1967.

I’m Talking About You (as “Talking about you”) (1:58) 1965

45: Sunshine (Festival) QK-983 ● Australia, 1965
2-CD: Ready, Steady, Let’s Go [Festival Records D-46071] ● Australia, 1999

And The Fabulous Blue Jays. The CD set contains the complete Sunshine recordings. 37 tracks with The Blue Jays and 10 tracks by the Blue Jays themselves.
In 1992 he was part of concert dates called “Living Legends Live Benefit Concert” where he a.o. did a great version of “Johnny B. Goode” with a fabulous band (see YouTube). As far as I can tell it’s only available on VHS and DVD, no CD (?)

YELLOW DOGS (Japan)

Four guys, Julie (guitar), Nanny (guitar), Ikari (bass), Takao (drums). A revival surf/rockabilly/beat group. Not easy to find info on these guys online. The CDs show five guys but singles show 4 (?)

Sweet Little Sixteen (2:30) 1999

45: Tinstar Records SR-TIN-012 ● Japan, 1999 (picture sleeve)
CD: The Yellow Dogs Jacaranda 20 Hits! [Tinstar Records MSR-TIN-030] ● Japan, 2000

The main problem is the “English” pronunciation. But they are good musicians.

Too Much Monkey Business ( : ) 2000

45: Tinstar Records MSR-TIN-026 ● Japan, 2000 (picture sleeve)
CD: The Yellow Dogs Jacaranda 20 Hits! [Tinstar records MSR-TIN-030] ● Japan, 2000

Carol ( : ) 2002

CD: My Girl Is Red Hot [Tinstar Records MSR-TIN-049] ● Japan, 2002

They also do a cover of “I Got To Find My Baby” probably credited to Berry, but it’s not counted for as it is not a Berry original.

I’m Talking About You ( : ) 2003
Little Queenie ( : ) 2003

CD: Yellow Dogs Is Gonna Get You [Tinstar Records TIN-056] ● Japan, 2003

CBID is the Chuck Berry International Directory, a 2.200 page pile of Chuck Berry records information published in four volumes between 2008 and 2013. For details see the bibliography section of this site.

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: Chapter 14 in Volume 2 describes songs which tribute Chuck Berry in title or lyrics as well as albums dedicated to honor Chuck. Here's one of each.

DIFFERENTS (USA)

Rock trio, Lou Hallwas (vocals, guitar, piano), Gary Stier (vocals, bass), Dan Garrity (drums). They have two albums out, one in 1997 and one in 2018.

Chuck Berry (2:35) (Dan Garrity) 2018

45: Stars/No Stars 007668-8 ● USA, 2018

Recorded at Gravel Road, Chicago, Illinois. Gary Stier does the lead vocals on this tribute which is a little different (yes) as it has not so much Berry beat or guitar but is still rockin’ good.

MIKKA GRYTVIKEN (France)

This French guy, born 1971, (with Scandinavian roots, sounds Norwegian to me) has released a digital tribute album to Chuck for streaming or downloading. 12 tracks:

Carol / Maybellene / Route 66 (!) / Oh What A Thrill / Darlin’ / You Never Can Tell / Sweet Little Sixteen / It Don’t Take But A Few Minutes / Little Queenie / Johnny B. Goode / School Day

It was released 23 September 2021. He says that it is his favourite songs. It’s very interesting to notice that he has picked a song, “Darlin’”, from Chuck’s very last studio album, “Chuck” 2017. Mikka is doing the vocals and playing all the instruments, guitars, bass and drums. According to himself he’s a pop, rock, blues, jazz and soul music singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer. His English pronunceation is not perfect but he has a goode feeling for the music.
(Thanks to Ari Niskanen of Finland who sent me the link: https://mikkagrytviken.net/)

CBID is the Chuck Berry International Directory, a 2.200 page pile of Chuck Berry records information published in four volumes between 2008 and 2013. For details see the bibliography section of this site.

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: Chapter 5 in Volume 2 presents not-for-sale vinyl and CD albums produced by radio stations for broadcast, chapter 7 in Volume 2 looks at movies containing Chuck Berry in person or Chuck Berry music in their soundtrack. Here are additions to each:

CHUCK BERRY ON THE RADIO
Concept Albums

SOUNDS OF SOLID GOLD (VOLUME 3) - Going Back In Time

LP: United States Marine Corps, Programs 10/11 ● USA, 1970s

Rock And Roll Music

Four tracks on each side. Side One (program 10) focuses on the year 1957, with music by Bill Justis (“Raunchy”), Pat Boone (“April Love”), Berry, and Jimmie Rodgers (“Honeycomb”). Side Two (Program 11) covers 1966 and includes The Toys (“Attack”), The Association (“Cherish”), The Temptations (“Get Ready”), and Neil Diamond (“Solitary Man”). Interesting selection with combining Justis, Boone, Rodgers and Berry.

CHUCK BERRY IN THE MOVIES
Soundtracks featuring Chuck Berry recordings

FUGUEUSES
[English title: RUNAWAYS]

AFCL Productions (Colour 95 min.) ● France, 1995

Starring Marie Trintignant, Irene Jacob, Nicole Garcia. Directed by Nadine Trintignant

Berry’s “No Particular Place To Go” is played in the movie. Actually, half of the song including guitar solo is heard very clearly.

CBID is the Chuck Berry International Directory, a 2.200 page pile of Chuck Berry records information published in four volumes between 2008 and 2013. For details see the bibliography section of this site.

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: Besides covering Chuck Berry and Johnnie Johnson, CBID also has chapter 19 containing a session discography as well as record releases by the Berry-inspired US artist Eddy Clearwater. Two releases need to be added thereto:

SESSION WORK and GUEST APPEARANCES

Shoji Naito

NEW COOL OLD SCHOOL

CD: Ogden Records ORCD-380 ● USA, 2016

Eddy Clearwater tracks: Big Boss Man w/Gerry Hundt / I’ll Change My Style w/Ariyo / Last Night / Walking By Myself w/Ariyo

Album also featuring Willie Buck, Billy Flynn, Lee Kanehira, Mark Fornek, Katherine Davis, Erwin Heller, Milwaukee Slim, Grant Kessler, Marty Binder.
14 tracks recorded in Chicago June/July 2015, produced by Shoji Naito. Shoji was born in Toyota, Japan and moved to Chicago in 1996. Harmonica and guitar player. Co-produced Eddy Clearwater’s “Soul Funky” CD from 2014.

Shoji Naito

WESTMONT TO CHICAGO – Tribute To Eddy Clearwater

CD: Ogden Records ORCD-382 ● USA, 2020

Sen Sa Shun (instr) – Eddy Clearwater Band / I Need You Baby – Eddy Clearwater / Like The Creeper (instr) – Shoji Naito / Stranded – Eddy Clearwater / A Minor Cha-Cha (instr) – Eddy Clearwater Band / Reconsider Baby – Eddy Clearwater / Eddy’s Midnight Dream (instr) – Lee Kanehira / Find Yourself – Win Noll / Deep Blue Sea Blues – Willie Buck / Don’t Go No Further – Willie Buck / Greyhound Harmonica Jam (instr) – Shoji Naito / You Don’t Have To Go – Eddy Clearwater / Women Be Wise – Ginny Morin / Crossover – Tom Crivellone / Ogden Avenue (instr) – Shoji Naito

Finally we have a tribute album to Eddy Clearwater which is a little unusual since we also get four previously unissued tracks by Eddy himself, recorded back in the Summer of 2015 (see CD “New Cool Old School” above). 15 tracks all staged by guitar and harp player Shoji Naito who also produced the album. The musicians featured are people from Eddy’s original band plus musical friends. (Eddy died 1 June 2018, he was 83.)