Online tributes continue to pour in for Chuck Berry, the man widely credited with laying down the indelible blueprint for rock and roll music.
Berry died in his home near St. Louis, Mo. on Saturday. He was 90 years old. The St. Charles County Police Department confirmed Berry's death on Facebook, saying officers responded to a medical emergency around 12:40 p.m., where they found the rock legend unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at 1:26 p.m.
The guitarist and songwriter’s hard-charging guitar licks and memorable lyrics about girls, cars, and wild parties influenced generations of musicians in the U.S. and around the world, including the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and the Beach Boys.
Many of the biggest living names in rock royalty, celebrities, and former U.S. presidents, have taken to social media since his death to remember a man whose signature sound forever changed the world of music.
MICK JAGGER, THE ROLLING STONES
I am so sad to hear of Chuck Berry's passing. I want to thank him for all the inspirational music he gave to us. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/9zQbH5bo9V
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) March 18, 2017
He lit up our teenage years, and blew life into our dreams of being musicians and performers. 2/3 #ChuckBerry
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) March 18, 2017
His lyrics shone above others & threw a strange light on the American dream. Chuck you were amazing&your music is engraved inside us forever
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) March 18, 2017
KEITH RICHARDS, THE ROLLING STONES
"One of my big lights has gone out.”
— Keith Richards (@officialKeef) March 19, 2017
- Keith, 3/18/17 pic.twitter.com/I86dHlvN5W
QUESTLOVE, THE ROOTS
Journalists are getting it wrong #ChuckBerry didn't help define or was part of the fabric: he literally was THE STANDARD of rock n roll.
— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) March 19, 2017
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
Chuck Berry was rock's greatest practitioner, guitarist, and the greatest pure rock 'n' roll writer who ever lived.
— Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) March 18, 2017
BARACK OBAMA
Chuck Berry rolled over everyone who came before him – and turned up everyone who came after. We'll miss you, Chuck. Be good.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 19, 2017
BRIAN WILSON, THE BEACH BOYS
I am so sad to hear about Chuck Berry passing - a big inspiration! He will be missed by everyone who loves Rock 'n Roll. Love & Mercy
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) March 18, 2017
BILL CLINTON
Chuck Berry’s life was a treasure and a triumph, and he’ll never be forgotten. https://t.co/3Q7z0NatUd
— Bill Clinton (@billclinton) March 19, 2017
GREGG ALLMAN, THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND
The first, the best, a friend. Rest In Peace Chuck Berry. #tweet #chuckberry pic.twitter.com/5EkW8AWb0N
— Gregg Allman (@GreggAllman) March 19, 2017
RONNIE WOOD, THE ROLLING STONES
So sad ~ with the passing of Chuck Berry comes the end of an era . He was one of the best and my inspiration , a true character indeed. pic.twitter.com/OnT8YXZpPn
— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) March 18, 2017
RINGO STARR, THE BEATLES
R I P. And peace and love Chuck Berry Mr. rock 'n' roll music ✌️☮ pic.twitter.com/hS2S2lUORf
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) March 18, 2017
THE JACKSONS
Chuck Berry merged blues & swing into the phenomenon of early rock’n’roll. In music, he cast one of the longest shadows. Thank You Chuck. pic.twitter.com/0TwpdDmw9e
— The Jacksons (@Jacksons) March 18, 2017
SLASH, GUNS N' ROSES
STEPHEN KING, AUTHOR
Chuck Berry died. This breaks my heart, but 90 years old ain't bad for rock and roll. Johnny B. Goode forever.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) March 18, 2017
RUSH
Rest in Peace Chuck Berry....one of the original rock and roll guitar legends....thank you for the music!
— Rush (@rushtheband) March 19, 2017
SLOAN
Hail Hail Rock and Roll... pic.twitter.com/QqbzYyzKDF
— Sloan (@Sloanmusic) March 18, 2017
MARK HAMILL, ACTOR
RIP Chuck Berry who defined Rock'n Roll for a generation & inspired some of my favorite bands in the process #Beatles #Stones #Kinks #Gr8ful pic.twitter.com/MLRipDGdOV
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) March 19, 2017
YUSUF CAT STEVENS, SINGER-SONGWRITER
Sad day: Chuck Berry’s dead. I saw him once, In a club in London; watched him dance as he played. God bless you for all the love you gave pic.twitter.com/wx03BFnPB1
— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) March 19, 2017
STEVEN VAN ZANDT, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN'S E STREET BAND
Chuck Berry was not only Rock's 1st guitar player and best storyteller he was Rock's 1st advocate. 1st missionary for my religion-Rock&Roll.
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) March 19, 2017
ELTON JOHN
The greatest rock & roll songwriter of all time. Thanks for all those wonderful records that will define rock music forever. #RIPChuckBerry pic.twitter.com/b87ZhCkECP
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) March 19, 2017