Thirty years ago, Chuck Berry starred in the seminal music documentary Chuck Berry:Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll , which profiled the legend during a star-studded concertcelebrating his sixtieth birthday. Now, on the heels of Berry's death, comes thecomplete story behind one of America's most enduring and embattled icons. Compiled as an oral history by the film's producer, Stephanie Bennett, Johnny B. Bad combines interviews from the film's participants, including its music director -- KeithRichards. These unique interviews and accounts paint a vivid and multifaceted pictureof the artist. Berry was at once a witty, articulate genius, now widely considered thegodfather of rock and roll; a shrewd businessman, who had no trouble endlesslyrenegotiating contracts and refusing to perform until additional cash was gathered up;and also a convicted criminal, who in addition to serving time in prison fortransporting a minor across state lines for 'immoral purposes' had also been accusedof sexual assault and sued in civil court for installing cameras in the restroom of theSouthern Air, a restaurant he owned in Wentzville, Missouri. Praise for Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll: ' Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll is.probably the most revealing look we'll everget of its subject, and the most loving evocation of his music.
' -- The Washington Post '.a fascinating character study.' -- The Los Angeles Times '.works on two levels: as a portrait of a private, bitter and streetwise man, and as amajor musical talent performing with obvious delight.' -- Chicago Tribune '.marvelously energetic.' -- Christian Science Monitor.