Roll Over Beethoven

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Written by: Berry
Produced by: Leonard and Phil Chess
Released: May '56 on Chess
Charts: 5 weeks
Top spot: No. 29

Berry originally wrote this guitar anthem as an affectionate dig at his sister Lucy, who had spent so much time playing classical music on the family piano that young Chuck couldn't get a turn. But "Roll Over Beethoven" became the ultimate rock & roll call to arms, declaring a new era: "Roll over, Beethoven/ And tell Tchaikovsky the news." Berry announced the changing of the musical guard with one of his blazing guitar riffs and pounding piano from longtime sidekick Johnnie Johnson.

Appears on: The Anthology (Chess)

Next: Love and Happiness

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