The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has announced that Chuck Berry will be this year’s American Music Master.
Chuck Berry
The American Music Masters series recognizes the “lives and careers of artists who changed the shape and sound of American culture.” The week to ten-day celebration includes retrospectives, panels, concerts and a major gala celebrating the honoree and their music.
In making the announcement, Rock Hall president and CEO Terry Stewart said “Chuck Berry created the language of rock ‘n’ roll. We stand on his foundation and we are thrilled to honor him and welcome him to Cleveland.”This year’s celebration will lead up to the gala concert, which will have a multitude of performers including Berry himself, on October 27. The events for the Music Masters celebration and the lineup for the concert will be announced in the coming weeks.
Previous honorees:
- 1996 – Woody Guthrie
- 1997 – Jimmie Rodgers
- 1998 – Robert Johnson
- 1999 – Louis Jordan
- 2000 – Muddy Waters
- 2001 – Bessie Smith
- 2002 – Hank Williams
- 2003 – Buddy Holly
- 2004 – Lead Belly
- 2005 – Sam Cooke
- 2006 – Roy Orbison
- 2007 – Jerry Lee Lewis
- 2008 – Les Paul
- 2009 – Janis Joplin
- 2010 – Fats Domino & Dave Bartholomew
- 2011 – Aretha Franklin
- 2012 – Chuck Berry
