History of “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry:

“Johnny B. Goode” is a 1958 rock and roll classic by Chuck Berry, widely regarded as one of the most iconic songs in the genre’s history. It was written in 1955 and recorded on January 6, 1958, at Chess Records in Chicago, produced by Leonard and Phil Chess.

The song’s protagonist, Johnny B. Goode, is a fictional “country boy” from the New Orleans area who plays guitar “just like ringing a bell” and dreams of fame. Berry based the character partly on his own life: the “Goode” in the name comes from 2520 Goode Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, where he grew up. The name “Johnny” was inspired by Johnnie Johnson, Berry’s regular band pianist Vintage Rock. Berry also altered the original lyric “a coloured boy” to “a country boy” to ensure radio play and avoid alienating white audiences.

Johnny B Goode