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Chuck Berry was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and one of the most influential pioneers of rock and roll music. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Berry rose to fame in the mid-1950s with hits like 'Maybellene', 'Roll Over Beethoven', 'Rock and Roll Music', and 'Johnny B. Goode'. His innovative guitar riffs, showmanship (including the iconic 'duck walk'), and lyrics focusing on teen life, cars, and American culture defined the sound and attitude of early rock and roll, profoundly influencing generations of musicians.

• Berry served three years in prison (1944-1947) for armed robbery as a teenager.
• In 1962, he was convicted under the Mann Act for transporting a minor across state lines (a 14-year-old hat check girl he employed) and served 20 months in federal prison. This conviction remains controversial.
• Berry sued The Beach Boys in the early 1970s over their hit 'Surfin' U.S.A.', claiming it copied his song 'Sweet Little Sixteen'. He won, gaining songwriter credit and royalties.
• His later years were marked by legal troubles, including a class-action lawsuit by women alleging hidden cameras in restrooms of a restaurant he owned.
• Chuck Berry died on March 18, 2017, at his home in Missouri at the age of 90. The cause of death was listed as natural causes, following a period of declining health.