Chuck Berry Funeral: Fans Allowed to View Open Casket

Fans paid their final respects to music legend Chuck Berry, who died last month aged 90.

They were allowed to view Chuck Berry’s body at the Pageant club in St Louis, Missouri, before a private family funeral on April 9.

As fans filed past the open casket, a musician played some of Chuck Berry’s greatest hits.

Chuck Berry died in Missouri after a seven-decade career.

Among those paying tribute to the rock and roll legend on April 9 was Kiss rocker Gene Simmons.

Former President Bill Clinton sent letter lauding “one of America’s greatest rock and roll pioneers”.

“He captivated audiences around the world,” the letter said, “and his music spoke to the hopes and dreams we all had in common.

“Me and Hillary grew up listening to him.”

Chuck Berry played at both of Bill Clinton’s presidential inaugurations.

As the private service for Chuck Berry began, the Rev Alex Peterson told the crowd that the aim of the day was “to celebrate Berry in a rock ‘n’ roll style”.

Among the floral arrangements was one in the shape of a guitar sent by the Rolling Stones.

Seen as one of the fathers of rock ‘n’ roll, Chuck Berry influenced generations of succeeding musicians, most notably The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys.

Chuck Berry was known for trademark four-bar guitar introductions and quickfire lyrics that reflected the rebelliousness of 1950s teenagers.

He received a lifetime achievement Grammy in 1984 and was among the first inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

Chuck Berry was born in St Louis, Missouri, in 1926, and had his first hit, Maybellene, in 1955.