THE PHOTO OF THE WEEK.

At the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, 2012.

Rock 'n Roll legend Chuck Berry has died at 90...

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO. - According to the St. Charles County Police Department, legendary musician Chuck Berry has died.
He was 90 years old.
Police said Saturday they responded to a medical emergency on Buckner Road around 12:40 p.m. Inside the home, first responders observed an unresponsive man and administered lifesaving techniques. The 90-year-old man, later identified as Charles Edward Anderson Berry Sr., better known as legendary musician Chuck Berry, could not be revived and was pronounced deceased at 1:26 p.m.
Berry is widely viewed as among the most influential artists on rock 'n' roll with hits like Johnny B Goode, Never Can Tell, and Roll Over Beethoven.  Berry influenced artists like the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Who and Pink Floyd.
The Beatles had hits with Berry compositions such as Roll Over Beethoven, Rock and Roll Music and Sweet Little Sixteen, and McCartney called Berry “one of greatest poets America has ever produced”  in an introduction to the 2014 release of Berry’s complete studio recordings.
Young played with Berry and Richards at Berry’s 1986 induction into the first class of the Rock ’N’ Roll Hall of Fame, in which Richards said in his induction speech for his hero, “I lifted every lick he ever played.”
Last October 18 Berry turned 90. The date also marked the 30th anniversary of two concerts staged for Barry’s 60th birthday in St. Louis by Stones guitarist Keith Richards. Oscar-nominated director Taylor Hackford filmed those concerts as the centerpiece for his documentary, Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll.
Hackford also celebrated Berry’s 80th birthday by releasing a five-disk DVD set with a behind-the-scenes look at those concerts and complete interviews with rock 'n' roll pioneers who attested to Berry’s greatness and eccentricities.
“I think Chuck Berry should be saluted every time there’s a concert,” said Hackford, who is now finishing a film with Robert De Niro called The Comedian. “He is totally unique and his influence just goes everywhere. But, the Rolling Stones are going to do what they’re going to do and they’re a great, great band. They cut their teeth on Chuck Berry and that was clear. They have many times talked about that influence.”
Prolific Berry Continued To Make Music into his 90s

Just this past October, on his 90th birthday Berry announced plans to team with Dualtone Records to release his first studio album in 38 years next year.  Berry announced the new album, Chuck, on his 90th birthday. He said the album is dedicated to Themetta Berry, his wife of 68 years.
"This record is dedicated to my beloved Toddy," Berry said in a media release. "My darlin' I'm growing old! I've worked on this record for a long time. Now I can hang up my shoes!"

http://www.ksdk.com

In Memoriam - Harmonica Legend James Cotton 1935 – 2017

The world has lost one James Cotton has died. Cotton, known for his work with Sonny Boy Williamson II, Muddy Waters and as a solo performer, passed away today of pneumonia at St. David’s Medical Center in Austin at the age of 81.
of the greatest harmonica players it has ever known as
James Cotton was born on a cotton plantation in Mississippi on July 1, 1935. By the age of nine he was already a working musician. Sonny Boy Williamson II taught Cotton directly and recruited James to tour with him and Howlin Wolf. Cotton was recorded by Sun Records in 1953 and then spent 12 years touring and recording with Muddy Waters. The harmonica legend was featured on Muddy’s famed 1960 At Newport LP for Chess Records and his work on “Got My Mojo Working” remains one of the great performances in the history of the harmonica.

After parting ways with Muddy, the Mississippi native formed The James Cotton Band in 1966 and toured the world relentlessly. Cotton, known as “Mr. Superharp,” recorded nearly 30 solo albums, won a Grammy, scored six Living Blues awards and was a 2006 inductee into the Blues Hall Of Fame. In more recent years he recorded for Alligator Records and was awarded the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal’s 2015 B.B. King Award for his seven decades of contributions to the blues. Our thoughts are with James Cotton’s family.

https://www.jambase.com

Cool video: Keith Richards - Rockett 88

Credit: Anthony R. - YOUTUBE.

STONES!!

BRIAN JONES.

Exclusive: Mick Jagger Says Working on New Songs for Next Rolling Stones Album Following Blues Hit...

The Rolling Stones are not done, by a long shot.
Mick Jagger told me a few nights ago that the next Stones album will not be covers but new songs. “I’m working on on new songs now.”
The Stones had a huge hit this winter with “Blue and Lonesome,” their album of blues covers. “B&L” was their biggest hit in years, and sustained itself on the charts much longer than anyone would have guessed.
Now, building on that momentum, Mick says the new album will be new. The Stones are eying their 55th anniversary next, after a triumphant 50th celebration that has almost never ended.
Mick brought three of his kids to the Vanity Fair Oscar party last night, and has never seemed in a better mood. He laughed when I asked him about a Tweet he put out the other day. A rumor started that he was bringing rising star Priyanka Chopra to the stars. “I’m not even going to the Oscars!” Mick Tweeted. And he didn’t.
But a new Stones album? Bring it on. I don’t care how old they are. It’s a sound I will never tire of!

By:  Roger Friedman http://www.showbiz411.com