“Johnny B. Goode” – Who(?), What, When(?) & Where

Last week, I was putting together a “This Historic Day In Music” post to celebrate the anniversary of something good that happened on a January 6: the recording of “Johnny B. Goode.”

At least I thought that January 6, 1958, was the day Chuck Berry made that immortal recording.

As I looked around the internet, I was surprised to discover three dates being offered and, in several instances, an overriding amount of uncertainty.

January 6, 1958, is the date Wikipedia gives.

December 29, 1957, is the date given in the liner notes of my Chess Records Chuck Berry, His Best, Volume 1 CD and numerous websites.

February 28, 1958 is the date given in none other than: Chuck Berry: The Autobiography.

Then I discovered that who the musicians were that accompanied Chuck’s vocals and electric guitar on “Johnny B. Goode” is open for debate as well!

Specifically, is that Johnnie Johnson or Lafayette Leake on piano? Is the drummer Fred Below or Jasper Thomas?

Willie Dixon is definitely the bassist on the track.

The What and Where are definites, too: “Johnny B. Goode” is a Rock & Roll song, written (words & music) by Chuck Berry. “Johnny B. Goode,” the iconic, genre-defining recording, was made in the brand new studios of the Chess Recording Corporation at 2120 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.

Whatever side of the Who and When debates you take, I think any day – even (especially!) January 14, 2021 – is a great day to listen to “Johnny B. Goode.”

So, go ahead. Listen!

That will never get old.

About sixstrstories

I am the son and only child of a registered nurse & a self-employed collector of wildflowers. I went on to become: a Beatles’ fan; a record collector; a drummer; a music magazine subscriber; a guitar player; a songwriter; a high school graduate; a college student; a music major; a performing singer/guitarist; a photography student; a yearbook photographer; a student teacher; a boyfriend; a letter writer; a college graduate; an elementary school music teacher; an apartment dweller; a husband; a guitar teacher/independent contractor; a homeowner; an independent music producer; the father of a daughter; the father of a son; a bandmate; a teacher of the history of popular music in America; an instructor of music/adjunct faculty member; a grandfather (x3); a condo dweller; and a blogger.

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3 Responses to “Johnny B. Goode” – Who(?), What, When(?) & Where

badfinger20 (Max) says:

January 14, 2022 at 8:50 pm

It’s a bar band must to know this…I think it’s a law.
I had no clue Willie Dixon played bass on it.

- sixstrstories says:
  
  January 15, 2022 at 3:30 pm
  
  Definitely an essential for any bar band! I used to do a “Folkified” version of it with just vocals and an acoustic guitar in my bar days. Knowing the actual day “JBG” was recorded and who actually played on the session may not be a big deal, but why didn’t the Chess Brothers keep records of their recording sessions? Why isn’t there a studio log, like we have for all of The Beatles’ sessions at Abbey Road? Oh, well! Thanks for the “like” and the comment! Always good to hear from you.
  
  - badfinger20 (Max) says:
    
    January 15, 2022 at 4:14 pm
    
    I would like to know that as well. It must have been been a comes as you can arrangement… I guess they didn’t think much about history… but it seems like the musician union would demand it.
    
    Great stuff!