The Chuck Berry Collectors Blog

Fred Rothwell's Long Distance Information: Chuck Berry's Recorded Legacy (Music Mentor Books, 2001) is the ultimate book for any serious Chuck Berry record collector: All Berry sessions, all the songs, all the session musicians, where to find which song if ever released, and tons of additional stuff.
First published in 2001 the book consists mainly of a 240 page commented "sessionography", a list of 93 recording sessions Chuck participated in between 1954 and 2000. For each session Fred lists the musicians and the songs recorded, whether released or not. For every song he shows a few main records containing it. He also fully describes and critizises every recording.
Chuck Berry's recorded legacy is not complete yet, though. After publication of Fred Rothwell's book we found out about an additional recording session which took place in Summer 1972:

On August, 5th 1972 Chuck performed at the Wembley Stadium, London, UK. Parts of this show were filmed by Peter Clifton and published as The London Rock And Roll Show. The film includes additional performances by The Houseshakers, Heinz, Screaming Lord Sutch, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley, and Little Richard. Chuck's segment includes the songs School Days, Memphis, Tennessee, Sweet Little Sixteen, Mean Ole Frisco, Beer Drinking Woman, Wee Wee Hours, Let It Rock, Carol, Little Queenie, and Reelin' and Rockin'.
The film was re-released on video tape in 1992 by Magnum Music. In 2001 Magnum finally released Chuck's performance along with those by Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley, and Little Richard on a soundtrack CD (Magnum Music CDMF 105).

Fred Rothwell's Long Distance Information: Chuck Berry's Recorded Legacy (Music Mentor Books, 2001) is the ultimate book for any serious Chuck Berry record collector: All Berry sessions, all the songs, all the session musicians, where to find which song if ever released, and tons of additional stuff.
First published in 2001 the book consists mainly of a 240 page commented "sessionography", a list of 93 recording sessions Chuck participated in between 1954 and 2000. For each session Fred lists the musicians and the songs recorded, whether released or not. For every song he shows a few main records containing it. He also fully describes and critizises every recording.
Chuck Berry's recorded legacy is not complete yet, though. After publication of Fred Rothwell's book we received the following addition regarding Session 23:
Just for completeness: I Got to Find My Baby was first recorded by Dr. Clayton as Gotta Find My Baby (Bluebird B 8901, 1941). Little Walter cut it later.

Fred Rothwell's Long Distance Information: Chuck Berry's Recorded Legacy (Music Mentor Books, 2001) is the ultimate book for any serious Chuck Berry record collector: All Berry sessions, all the songs, all the session musicians, where to find which song if ever released, and tons of additional stuff.
First published in 2001 the book consists mainly of a 240 page commented "sessionography", a list of 93 recording sessions Chuck participated in between 1954 and 2000. For each session Fred lists the musicians and the songs recorded, whether released or not. For every song he shows a few main records containing it. He also fully describes and critizises every recording.
Chuck Berry's recorded legacy is not complete yet, though. After publication of Fred Rothwell's book we found the following addition regarding Session 58:
On Your Lick Fred suspected that the minimal but effective harp was played by Jeff Baldori instead of Bob. Bob Baldori however confirmed that it was himself playing harmonica on the track. If you would like to see a picture of that session's setup (Chuck Berry and the Woolies), click here to see Bob Baldori's private photo collection.

Fred Rothwell's Long Distance Information: Chuck Berry's Recorded Legacy (Music Mentor Books, 2001) is the ultimate book for any serious Chuck Berry record collector: All Berry sessions, all the songs, all the session musicians, where to find which song if ever released, and tons of additional stuff.
First published in 2001 the book consists mainly of a 240 page commented "sessionography", a list of 93 recording sessions Chuck participated in between 1954 and 2000. For each session Fred lists the musicians and the songs recorded, whether released or not. For every song he shows a few main records containing it. He also fully describes and critizises every recording.
Chuck Berry's recorded legacy is not complete yet, though. Here is an addition to Fred's description of Session 65:

As we learn from the Chuck Berry songbook Rock 'n' Roll Poet (see the Bibliography), the song You and My Country was penned by Chuck Berry. The songbook contains the lyrics, but not the notes of the song. Given the critical lyrics about his country, it almost looks as if this recording was dropped from release for political instead of musical reasons:

I love my country, it's aim and intent.
I believe in the system as it is in print.
   ... snip ...
I know I'm nobody, I lost out in school.
But I feel something wrong unless I'm a fool.
I'm going to keep prying, at least I'll be trying,
'Cause somebody's lying.

Fred Rothwell's Long Distance Information: Chuck Berry's Recorded Legacy (Music Mentor Books, 2001) is the ultimate book for any serious Chuck Berry record collector: All Berry sessions, all the songs, all the session musicians, where to find which song if ever released, and tons of additional stuff.
First published in 2001 the book consists mainly of a 240 page commented "sessionography", a list of 93 recording sessions Chuck participated in between 1954 and 2000. For each session Fred lists the musicians and the songs recorded, whether released or not. For every song he shows a few main records containing it. He also fully describes and critizises every recording.
Chuck Berry's recorded legacy is not complete yet, though. Here is an addition to Fred's description of Session 66:

From the Chuck Berry songbook Rock 'n' Roll Poet (see the Bibliography), we learn that the song Tell You About My Buddy is not an alternative short version of Talkin' About My Buddy but a song on its own. The songbook again contains the lyrics, but not the notes of the song as well as those of the equally unpublished Roll Away. Both songs were authored by Chuck Berry.