Quotes from Chuck Berry

I directed my music to the teen-agers. I was 30 years old when I did 'Maybellene.' My school days had long been over when I did 'School Day,' but I was thinking of them.

Respect isn't enough. You've got to have a proprietary interest.

In the Fifties, there were certain places we couldn't ride on the bus, and now there is a possibility of a black man being in the White House. You have to feel good about it.

I'm thankful for performing as long as I am allowed.

The first thing I heard was spiritual music, which was imbedded. The second thing I heard was swing. And shortly, along with that, I began to hear the blues. And then I began to hear Latin music. Each one left its mark.

Charlie Christian played amplified guitar with Benny Goodman's quartet. He was the greatest guitar player that ever was. But he never looked up from the guitar. But I put a little dance to it. They appreciate seein' something along with hearin' something.

Rock 'n' roll accepted me and paid me, even though I loved the big bands... I went that way because I wanted a home of my own. I had a family. I had to raise them. Let's don't leave out the economics. No way.

I wanted to be a comedian. And I did that so much in high school, I couldn't get a girlfriend.

Maybe it is true what they say, that playing these Chuck Berry songs is easy. But try singing them. The words come out hard, like bullets.

I'm a millionaire, but I cut the grass. And each time I cut it, it's my grass. And that is satisfying.

Rock's so good to me. Rock is my child and my grandfather.

It amazes me when I hear people say, 'I want to go out and find out who I am.' I always knew who I was. I was going to be famous if it killed me.

That's all there was in our house: poetry and choir rehearsal and duets and so forth; I listened to Dad and Mother discuss things about poetry and delivery and voice and diction - I don't think anyone could know how much it really means.

If you want to release your aggression, get up and dance. That's what rock and roll is all about.

I didn't connect with the kids. I was in the studio. I never saw the kids. I hoped they liked it, of course. And then I'd go write some more. And then I'd go buy me a home. Very American.

My singing days have passed. My voice is gone. My throat is worn. And my lungs are going fast.

I'm thankful for each and every day. We never know when time is up.

I love poetry. I love rhyming. Do you know, there are poets who don't rhyme? Shakespeare did not rhyme most of the time, and that's why I do not like him.

All were artists, playing foolish, having fights and making love as if the rest of the world had no racial problems whatsoever.

In a Toyota, the cops don't think about stopping you so much.

In a way, I feel it might be ill-mannered to try and top myself. The music I play is a ritual. Something that matters to people in a special way. I wouldn't want to interfere with that.

Music is science. Everything is science. Because science is truth.

Listening to Nat Cole prompted me to sing sentimental songs with distinct diction.

Chuck Berry doesn't give interviews.