Chuck Berry collapses on keyboard at Congress Theater

Chuck Berry collapses on keyboard at Congress Theater
BY DAVE HOEKSTRA
Staff Reporter/dhoekstra@suntimes.com
link –> http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/3119886-418/berry-chuck-theater-chicago-congress.html

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.