Rock 'n' roll legend Chuck Berry has died at 90 years old, police in US state of Missouri report.
Chuck Berry is releasing a new album in 2017. Photo: AFP
The singer was found unresponsive at lunchtime on Saturday, St Charles County police said.
Chuck Berry in 1957 Photo: Public Domain
"Unfortunately, the 90-year-old man could not be revived and was pronounced deceased at 1:26pm," a statement read.
Berry's seven-decade career boasted a string of hits, including classics like Roll Over Beethoven and Johnny B Goode.
He received a lifetime achievement Grammy in 1984 and was among the first inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
He was due to release a new album of original recordings this year, title Chuck, his first in 38 years.
Announcing the album, he said it would be dedicated to his wife of 68 years, Themetta Berry, and that he then planned to hang up his shoes.
Some fellow musicians tweeted in response to Berry's death.
Chuck Berry merged blues & swing into the phenomenon of early rock’n’roll. In music, he cast one of the longest shadows. Thank You Chuck. pic.twitter.com/0TwpdDmw9e
— The Jacksons (@Jacksons) March 18, 2017
Chuck Berry was rock's greatest practitioner, guitarist, and the greatest pure rock 'n' roll writer who ever lived.
— Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) March 18, 2017
Fellow US musician Bruce Springsteen tweeted that Berry was rock's "greatest practitioner, guitarist and the greatest pure rock 'n roll writer who ever lived".
- BBC
