Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Famer Chuck Berry collapsed over his keyboards about an hour into his “Winter Dance” show before a standing-room only crowd Saturday night at the Congress Theater.

The 84-year-old Berry’s head lay on a keyboard, and he didn’t move for a couple of minutes before he was helped off stage by three people shortly before 10:30 p.m. He returned 20 minutes later after most of the auditorium had cleared out. He tuned up his guitar and tried to play before telling the audience he had no strength. He then did a variation of his legendary duck walk off stage.

A Chicago Fire Department ambulance was called to the theater on the Northwest Side, and emergency crews gave Berry a check-up at the scene, Fire Department Spokesman Joe Roccasalva said. But he said he “felt better” and signed a refusal for further medical treatment, Roccasalva said.

Berry flew into Chicago after performing two New Year’s Eve shows at B.B. King’s Blues Club and Grill in New York City. The St. Louis-based legend was having trouble connecting with his Chicago-based pick-up band all night.

In a rare moment earlier in the show, Berry even cast aside his guitar and took over the keyboards to play “Let it Rock.” He performed his best-known hits like “Roll Over Beethoven” in slow, disjointed tempos and when he hit stride with more appropriate understated material like “Everyday I Have the Blues,” he stopped halfway through the song. The only tune he was able to muscle through was his 1972 novelty hit, “My Ding-A-Ling,” which featured a call and response with his adoring fans.

http://www.suntimes.com/n...gress.html

oh wow!

They need to loosen his schedule, I heard it's real tight! But I guess he would've collapsed from exhaustion anyway. Just glad he didn't immediately fall and hit his head like Jackie Wilson!

Plus the guy is now EIGHTY-FOUR years old.

[Edited 1/1/11 23:14pm]

(AP) – 2 hours ago

CHICAGO (AP) — Rock-and-roll legend Chuck Berry felt ill and was checked out by ambulance medics before a show Saturday night, a Chicago fire official said. An audience member at the show, however, said Berry slumped over during the show and was offstage for at least 20 minutes.

Fire Department spokesman Joe Roccasalva said Berry felt better and signed a release after being checked out. Roccasalva said the confusion arose because emergency personnel later responded to a patron at the show who was unwell.

Berry, 84, is known for his classic songs including "Maybelline," ''Johnny B. Goode," and "Roll Over Beethoven."

His agent Dick Alen said he had no information on the matter.

Concertgoer Steve Handwerker said Berry was giving an erratic, out-of-tune performance. While sitting at the keyboard, Handwerker said, Berry fell onto it face first and was helped offstage. He said he went outside and saw an ambulance at the back of the theater, but ran back inside when he heard the remaining crowd roar.

Berry, still in his performance outfit, was standing unassisted and seemed alert, Handwerker said. He said Berry thanked the crowd, said medics put on a blood pressure cuff, and patted his chest.

Saying he wanted to give fans what they wanted, Berry did a step or two of what he called his "heel scoop" move and was helped offstage. Handwerker said he later saw Berry get into a white limousine and ride away from the theater.

Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Blimey....I thought he died years ago......

Claire73 said:

Blimey....I thought he died years ago......

Charming.

Women...commonly thought of as being 'sensitive' and 'nurturing'...

.

Claire73 said:

Blimey....I thought he died years ago......

This is why people need to do research on legends before thinking that person passed on lol

84 and still playing? god bless him! my poppop was less then a week to his 83rd bday when he passed

Big fan of Chuck and this is sad news indeed. Hopefully it is an isolated incident but at his age it could be a very bad sign. You really have to give the man credit. Unlike some younger artists (cough, Lauryn Hill, cough) Chuck is a professional and always strives to give his audiences a terrific show.

Claire73 said:

Blimey....I thought he died years ago......

[Bait snip - luv4u]

Damn sounds like a bit of a mini stroke occurred there... And they allowed him to keep on playing like that??? Despite him refusing further medical treatment, who the hell was looking out for him? There are times when you have to say "FUCK the fans" and pay more attention to your health because that is what's most important.

[Edited 1/2/11 8:20am]

[Edited 1/2/11 8:22am]

missfee said:

Damn sounds like a bit of a mini stroke occurred there... And they allowed him to keep on playing like that??? Despite him refusing further medical treatment, who the hell was looking out for him? There are times when you have to say "FUCK the fans" and pay more attention to your health because that is what's most important.

[Edited 1/2/11 8:20am]

[Edited 1/2/11 8:22am]

True.

Berry flew into Chicago after performing two New Year’s Eve shows at B.B. King’s Blues Club and Grill in New York City.

WTF?? 3 shows in 2 days?

Chuck, you're 84, man! Take it easy sometime!

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

Berry flew into Chicago after performing two New Year’s Eve shows at B.B. King’s Blues Club and Grill in New York City.

WTF?? 3 shows in 2 days?

Chuck, you're 84, man! Take it easy sometime!

I don't know Chuck's financial situation, but a lot of these older performers have to perform because they were ripped off when they were young and don't make money from their records or songs. B.B. King is a millionaire, but he still tours. In his case, he just likes performing.

MickyDolenz said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

WTF?? 3 shows in 2 days?

Chuck, you're 84, man! Take it easy sometime!

I don't know Chuck's financial situation, but a lot of these older performers have to perform because they were ripped off when they were young and don't make money from their records or songs. B.B. King is a millionaire, but he still tours. In his case, he just likes performing.

Too bad Chuck didn't think about his money like B.B.

missfee said:

Damn sounds like a bit of a mini stroke occurred there... And they allowed him to keep on playing like that??? Despite him refusing further medical treatment, who the hell was looking out for him? There are times when you have to say "FUCK the fans" and pay more attention to your health because that is what's most important.

It ain't even about the fans at this point, his work seems like his whole life.

My aunt begged my uncle to retire(and he's 68) due to his poor health only to get backfired with "to do what?". It took a minor heart attack for HIM to decide to finally settle down. I think Chuck is the only one who can decide for himself.

That being said, I feel you.

I don't know much about him but it sounds like the fans are the most important thing to him.

abigail05 said:

I don't know much about him but it sounds like the fans are the most important thing to him.

MickyDolenz said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

WTF?? 3 shows in 2 days?

Chuck, you're 84, man! Take it easy sometime!

I don't know Chuck's financial situation, but a lot of these older performers have to perform because they were ripped off when they were young and don't make money from their records or songs. B.B. King is a millionaire, but he still tours. In his case, he just likes performing.

Oh I do understand that but still 3 shows in 2 days plus traveling, is a bit much. Hell, when I go from Detroit to Chicago just to hang out, I still need a nap when I get there.

Timmy84 said:

MickyDolenz said:

I don't know Chuck's financial situation, but a lot of these older performers have to perform because they were ripped off when they were young and don't make money from their records or songs. B.B. King is a millionaire, but he still tours. In his case, he just likes performing.

Too bad Chuck didn't think about his money like B.B.

B.B. was broke at one point and in debt to the taxman, but he hired a really good (and honest ) manager in the late 1960's or early 1970's named Sidney Seidenberg. That's when he started to make money.

MickyDolenz said:

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

WTF?? 3 shows in 2 days?

Chuck, you're 84, man! Take it easy sometime!

I don't know Chuck's financial situation, but a lot of these older performers have to perform because they were ripped off when they were young and don't make money from their records or songs. B.B. King is a millionaire, but he still tours. In his case, he just likes performing.

Chuck did get ripped off early on in his career but he is similar to B.B. in that he does not need to tour for the money. I believe he just enjoys performing.

He really needs to retire or at least slow down.

rialb said:

MickyDolenz said:

I don't know Chuck's financial situation, but a lot of these older performers have to perform because they were ripped off when they were young and don't make money from their records or songs. B.B. King is a millionaire, but he still tours. In his case, he just likes performing.

Chuck did get ripped off early on in his career but he is similar to B.B. in that he does not need to tour for the money. I believe he just enjoys performing.

Didn't he eventually get some of his rights back? I'm sure he gets good pay since he wrote most of his big hits.

Timmy84 said:

rialb said:

Chuck did get ripped off early on in his career but he is similar to B.B. in that he does not need to tour for the money. I believe he just enjoys performing.

Didn't he eventually get some of his rights back? I'm sure he gets good pay since he wrote most of his big hits.

I'm not sure. I'm fairly certain that Chuck does own the publishing rights of "My Ding A Ling" which was, somewhat strangely, his only number one hit on the billboard pop chart.

rialb said:

Timmy84 said:

Didn't he eventually get some of his rights back? I'm sure he gets good pay since he wrote most of his big hits.

I'm not sure. I'm fairly certain that Chuck does own the publishing rights of "My Ding A Ling" which was, somewhat strangely, his only number one hit on the billboard pop chart.

Yeah that was an odd moment in history.

I know his stuff was on the ATV catalog.

Timmy84 said:

rialb said:

I'm not sure. I'm fairly certain that Chuck does own the publishing rights of "My Ding A Ling" which was, somewhat strangely, his only number one hit on the billboard pop chart.

Yeah that was an odd moment in history.

I know his stuff was on the ATV catalog.

Really? Wasn't that the company that had the Beatles' publishing? Does that mean that they sued themselves over the Chuck Berry line that John Lennon "stole" for "Come Together?" Very strange!

rialb said:

Timmy84 said:

Yeah that was an odd moment in history.

I know his stuff was on the ATV catalog.

Really? Wasn't that the company that had the Beatles' publishing? Does that mean that they sued themselves over the Chuck Berry line that John Lennon "stole" for "Come Together?" Very strange!

I guess.

I remembered that when Michael purchased the catalog that Northern Songs had not only Chuck's stuff but Little Richard's too. Don't know if he gave Chuck back his rights (last I checked, it was still in the ATV system) but Katherine advised him to give Richard back rights to his catalog, least if I read the story right.

Chuck is famous for being extremely tight with his money. I don't think money is an issue.

WildStyle said:

Chuck is famous for being extremely tight with his money. I don't think money is an issue.

HELLO!!!

Always has been! From the get go! Straight out the gate!

When everybody else was getting bent over and done with no grease...Chuck Berry sat his happy ass on the other side of that fence...and was getting his...ALL OF IT!

Now if he lost his mind, later on and suddenly forgot...HOW to do it...that's something new to me...based purely on what he'd already done...for me.