So, for Christmas, I receive a book titled "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The First 25 Years".

And there on page 10, documenting the 1st annual induction in 1986, is a picture of a stage with Neil Young, Paul Schaeffer, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Chuck Berry. Berry and Lewis were inducted that first year.

The photo has Berry leaning back and filmed from that angle. And in his hands is a guitar that looks an awful like a Fender Stratocaster (color: black). Here is a photo I found on line from a different angle:

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/85853550/Redferns

Now, I believe that Chuck always played a Gibson ES 335; however, for the performance jam at the induction ceremony he looks to have decided on using a Fender instead of a Gibson.

I don't know what this means. I just thought it was interesting...............................

Yeah thats the iconic picture I'd say most people have
Chuck Berry / Big red Gibby

I don't know what this means. I just thought it was interesting

If I were a betting man, and knowing Berry and his 'shtick', he likely didn't bother bringing his guitar, and just played what was available.

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"Another day in paradise!"

thanks for posting, cool pic!

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Probably.

Though, he did play a lot of different guitars over the years.

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

http://www.chuckberry.de/birthday.htm Chuck Berry Birthday Cake Guitar

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Musical Instruments
Music Gear
Concert Lights

In my memory h's been pictured over the years, exlusively with Gibsons, from his first album cover, in his films,with a Les Paul, and then with the 345.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Wow, yeah it always seems like every picture you see of him is with his Gibsons. Very neat, and different, to see him with the Strat!

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http://www.youtube.com/guitarmike26

Free & Easy Down the Road I Go

See below.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Actually appears out of place.

One thing you should note, if you haven't been aware of until now, is the size of that man's hands. When you consider how an artist generates his tone, keep that in mind. Berry's hands are immense and that would lend much to his double stop and back beat creativity. He laid down the foundation for contemporary rock music with that. On a Gibson ES neck, that would have been a piece of cake. Besides, Berry's contemporaries would have predated Fenders, and the Stratocaster in their professional years. Artists such as T-Bone Walker and even Carl Perkins, played Gibsons.

One additional observation: At the 'Hail, Hail, Rock'n Roll" concert celebrating Berry's birthday, Clapton plays the same model Gibson guitar Berry is seen with on his first album cover, a blond ES-350T w/P-90's.

That guitar was an economy version of the Byrdland, their first thinline model.

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"Another day in paradise!"

And that was a common sight to see with him in those days--and there were others.
But his identity with the 335 over the years caused at least one movie to have an anachronism.
Back to the Future takes place in 55, Gibson's semi-hollow line came out in 58.

That didn't wreck the movie for me--but I noticed it.

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

His guitar is actually a 345, a small detail, but your datelines are correct. Continuity is often a problem in cinema.

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"Another day in paradise!"

On a similar note, I was watching the bio channel earlier this evening. Queen live in Budapest, both Brian May and Fredie Mercury were playing Tele's on Crazy Little Thing Called Love.

Oops--my finger slipped.

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

His tux is brilliant

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Rated "M" for meaty.