La estatua fue erigida en el distrito bohemio de Delmar Loop en St. Louis, a pesar de que algunas personas se opusieron al monumento, aduciendo los problemas legales de Berry durante su extensa carrera.
"No voy a tardar mucho", dijo Berry, que llevaba su tradicional gorro marinero ante una multitud que se reunió a pesar de un calor que superó los 32 grados. "No sé hablar, sólo canto un poco. Les voy a dar las gracias de nuevo, y decirles que les quiero a todos", agregó.
Las rápidas letras de Berry y sus revolucionarios riffs de guitarra le valieron ingresar al Salón de la Fama del Rock y una medalla de honor presidencial.
Está considerado como uno de los cinco mejores autores de rock de todos los tiempos por la revista Rolling Stone, junto a los Beatles, Bob Dylan, los Rolling Stones y Elvis Presley.
Berry, que tocó por primera vez en 1941, todavía aparece cada mes en Blueberry Hill, justo enfrente de la estatua.
Entre quienes enviaron sus saludos a Berry estuvieron Elvis Costello, que aseguró que estaba contento de ver una estatua de Berry "en St. Louis, a donde pertenece" y el también pionero del rock Little Richard, que calificó a Berry de "el mayor artista del mundo".
A Berry, que ha vivido toda su vida en St. Louis, le acompañaron en el estrado su esposa, hijos y nietos, que se sumaron a sus admiradores cantando "Johnny B. Goode", su clásico éxito de 1957, mientras la estrella del rock caminaba entre la multitud al finalizar la ceremonia.
Una plaza cerca de la estatua tiene las paredes iluminadas con las notas musicales grabadas con láser de "Johnny B. Goode". En la acera hay escritas letras de las canciones de Berry.
La oposición a la estatua comenzó a principios de año, cuando un ex miembro del ayuntamiento de la ciudad reunió 100 firmas para postergar su instalación.
Los que se oponen alegan que Berry fue hallado culpable de delitos graves al comienzo de su carrera, incluido el de llevar a una mujer a otro estado con propósitos inmorales en 1962.
Berry pasó tres años en prisión, donde escribió varias canciones, incluida "No Particular Place to Go".
El músico se desmayó durante un concierto en Chicago el día de Año Nuevo pasado, pero se recuperó a tiempo para su siguiente espectáculo en St. Louis y no mostró signos preocupantes en la ceremonia de inauguración.
Chuck Berry: statue inauguration
The rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry, active and smiling 84 years old, received a standing ovation on Friday while inaugurating a bronze statue of himself from 2.4 meters to the cheers of about 500 people.
The statue was erected in the bohemian district of Delmar Loop in St. Louis, even though some people opposed the monument, citing Berry's legal troubles during his long career.
"I will not take long," said Berry, who wore her traditional sailor hat before a crowd gathered despite the heat that topped 32 degrees. "I can not speak, just sing a bit. I'll thank you again, and tell them I love them all," he said.
Rapid letters of Berry and his revolutionary guitar riffs earned him the Hall of Fame Rock and a presidential medal of honor.
He is considered one of the five best rock writers of all time by Rolling Stone, along with the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley.
Berry, who first played in 1941, still appears every month at Blueberry Hill, just opposite the statue.
Among those who sent their greetings to Berry were Elvis Costello, who said he was happy to see a statue of Berry "in St. Louis, where it belongs" and also rock pioneer Little Richard, who called Berry "the greatest artist the world. "
A Berry, who has lived all his life in St. Louis, accompanied him on the stand his wife, children and grandchildren joined her fans singing "Johnny B. Goode," his classic hit of 1957, while the star rock through the crowd at the end of the ceremony.
A square near the statue is lit walls engraved with musical notes laser "Johnny B. Goode." On the sidewalk there are lyrics written by Berry.
Opposition to the statue began early this year when a former member of city council met 100 signatures to postpone installation.
Opponents argue that Berry was convicted of offenses at the beginning of his career, including carrying a woman to another state for immoral purposes in 1962.
Berry spent three years in prison, where he wrote several songs, including "No Particular Place to Go".
The player collapsed during a concert in Chicago on New Year's Day past, but recovered in time for your next show in St. Louis and showed no signs of concern in the opening ceremony.
Your next show at Blueberry Hill is scheduled for August 17.
The rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry, active and smiling 84 years old, received a standing ovation on Friday while inaugurating a bronze statue of himself from 2.4 meters to the cheers of about 500 people.
The statue was erected in the bohemian district of Delmar Loop in St. Louis, even though some people opposed the monument, citing Berry's legal troubles during his long career.
"I will not take long," said Berry, who wore her traditional sailor hat before a crowd gathered despite the heat that topped 32 degrees. "I can not speak, just sing a bit. I'll thank you again, and tell them I love them all," he said.
Rapid letters of Berry and his revolutionary guitar riffs earned him the Hall of Fame Rock and a presidential medal of honor.
He is considered one of the five best rock writers of all time by Rolling Stone, along with the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley.
Berry, who first played in 1941, still appears every month at Blueberry Hill, just opposite the statue.
Among those who sent their greetings to Berry were Elvis Costello, who said he was happy to see a statue of Berry "in St. Louis, where it belongs" and also rock pioneer Little Richard, who called Berry "the greatest artist the world. "
A Berry, who has lived all his life in St. Louis, accompanied him on the stand his wife, children and grandchildren joined her fans singing "Johnny B. Goode," his classic hit of 1957, while the star rock through the crowd at the end of the ceremony.
A square near the statue is lit walls engraved with musical notes laser "Johnny B. Goode." On the sidewalk there are lyrics written by Berry.
Opposition to the statue began early this year when a former member of city council met 100 signatures to postpone installation.
Opponents argue that Berry was convicted of offenses at the beginning of his career, including carrying a woman to another state for immoral purposes in 1962.
Berry spent three years in prison, where he wrote several songs, including "No Particular Place to Go".
The player collapsed during a concert in Chicago on New Year's Day past, but recovered in time for your next show in St. Louis and showed no signs of concern in the opening ceremony.
Your next show at Blueberry Hill is scheduled for August 17.
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