Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Charles Edward Anderson Berry, better known as Chuck Berry, epitomized 1950s rock 'n' roll through his songs, music, and dance. "If you tried to give rock 'n' roll another name, you might call it 'Chuck Berry,"' commented John Lennon, one of the many artists influenced by Berry's groundbreaking works—others included the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys. A consummate showman with an electrifying stage style, he originated such classic songs as "School Days," in which he proclaimed "hail, hail, rock and roll" and "long live rock and roll"; and "Rock and Roll Music," in which he sang: "It's gotta be rock and roll music, if you want to dance with me." Berry was the first black rock 'n' roll artist to cross the tracks and draw a significant white audience to his music. His career was sidetracked, however...