CBID - Corrections and Additions to the Chuck Berry Cover Versions List

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: Some corrections, one answer to a long open question and yet another list of cover versions to be added to the chapter on Chuck Berry covers in Volume 3.

It has come to my attention that “Roll Over Beethoven” from 1964 by the Searchers is not actually this group but rather by Ian & The Zodiacs aka the Koppykats. The German LP referred to in the text on page 1494 seems like a Searchers album and nothing is mentioned that the track in question is actually not by this group. And not just that, six of the songs are by the Searchers and 6 songs by the Koppykats – page 1296 (aka Ian & The Zodiacs). That’s really too much monkey business.
Thanks to Peter Checksfield for this info.

On page 1650 (Vol. 4) Mystery Cover Version. Now finally it seems we have found the answer. A popular Canadian rock band called April Wine was the support act for the Rolling Stones when the Stones played in Toronto, Canada in 1977. Unfortunately I have not been able to find this track “Little Queenie” on the April Wine album “Live At The El Mocambo” (1977). So maybe this single in disguise was a try to see what happened. Very strange though.

On page 1249 John Hill & The Retreads (USA) “Johnny B. Goode” must be erased as you will find the same entry on page 1449 as by The Retreds (USA) which by the way is the correct name. It’s a garage rock version.

ANIMALS (UK)

See Volume 3, pages 1041-42 for biographical info.

Sweet Little Sixteen (3:04) 1966
Wee Wee Hours (3:55) 1965

2-CD set: Broadcasts 1964-1966 [Rhythm & Blues Records RANDB-057] • UK, 2019

I haven’t been able to check if the “Sweet Little Sixteen” track on the LP R&B-13 is the same as the one above on this release. “Wee Wee Hours” is a live recording from a radio session, and again Eric Burdon proves his ability as a singer of great power.

BALLROOM ROCKETS (Germany)

Aka The Rosmaity Brothers, Christoph (guitar) and Fabian (vocals, bass), plus René Lieutenant on drums.

Thirty Days (2:29) 2008

CD: Ready If You’re Willin’ [Rhythm Bomb Records CDRBR-5682] • Germany, 2008

Straight ahead rockabilly version. See also The Rosmaity Brothers.

CLIFF BENNETT & THE REBEL ROUSERS (UK)

The band Rebel Rousers was formed in 1957 by Cliff Bennett. They released singles on the Parlophone label but it was first in 1964 that they got hit singles with a.o. “One Way Love” and 1966 “Got To Get You Into My Life”. The members consisted of a.o. Chas Hodges who would later team up with Dave Peacock as Chas & Dave.

Bye Bye Johnny [as “Johnny B. Goode”] (2:27) 1963 (mono)
Bye Bye Johnny [as “Johnny B. Goode”] (2:27) 1963 (stereo)

4 CD-set: Into Our Lives: The EMI Years 1961-1969 [EMI 50999 6 97388 2] • UK, 2009

Previously unissued. It’s a tough and rockin’ goode version. Strange but it says “Johnny B. Goode” on the album. They couldn’t tell the difference in 2009?

GRATEFUL DEAD (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1218-1220 for biographical info, and Vol. 4 page 2048.
If you look in Vol. 3 of CBID on the above pages you’ll see that there are a huge number of entries by this group.
Especially regarding the Dick’s Picks series. It was organised by Dick Latvala who was the custodian of the Grateful Dead tape vault until his death in 1999. From 2000 it was overseen by David Lemieux until 2005 when the Road Trip series took over and lasted till 2011, and the Dave’s Picks started in 2012.
The thing is that there are almost a Berry song or three on every release and I feel it will take too much space. The Dave’s Picks series have now reached Vol. 32 so you can imagine how many covers we are talking about. I have included a few issues below to give you an idea, and they have also covered “Run Rudolph Run” a couple of times (Christmas you know).

Around And Around (9:10) 1977 (live)
Johnny B. Goode (4:20) 1977 (live)
Promised Land (4:32) 1977 (live)

3 CD: Dave’s Picks Vol 1 -The Mosque, Richmond, VA –5/25/77 [Rhino / Grateful Dead R2-529201] • USA, 2012

Run Rudolph Run (3:43) 1971 (live)

3 CD: Dave’s Picks Vol.22 – Felts Forum, New York –12/7/71 [Rhino / Grateful Dead R2-557453] • USA, 2017

Run Rudolph Run (3:28) 1971 (live)

3 CD: Dave’s Picks Vol.26 –Albuquerque Civic Auditorium, NM 11/17/71 [Grateful Dead R2-565049] • USA, 2017

Recorded live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, 14 December 1971. Bonus concert.

Around And Around (7:50) 1977 (live)
Johnny B. Goode (4:23) 1977 (live)
Promised Land (5:03) 1977 (live)

3 CD: Dave’s Picks Vol.29 –Swing Auditorium San Bernardino, CA [Rhino Records R2-573507] • USA, 2017

“Johnny B. Goode” recorded live at Robertson Gym, University Of California, Santa Barbara, CA 27 February 1977, bonus track.

Johnny B. Goode (3:55) 1973 (live)
Promised Land (3:22) 1973 (live)

3 CD: Dave’s Picks Vol.32 –The Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA 3/24/73 [Rhino Records R2-573510] • USA, 2019

This would have to do. Volumes 1 – 2 – 3 - 4 – 5 – 7 – 8 – 11 – 12 – 16 – 18 – 20 – 21 – 23 – 24 – 25 – 28 – 31 also includes one or two Berry covers, such as Around And Around, Johnny B. Goode or Promised Land .
And on top of that there’s a lot of other Grateful Dead releases, a.o. a series titled Europe ‘72 that includes some 24 volumes!!! which of course also includes Berry covers.
It’s estimated that the group performed Berry’s songs around 1100 times !!! Quite a number (the info could itself fill a whole book).

RICHARD GRAY & THE FOUR BROTHERS (Australia)

This is not a new entry, see page 1221, but additional information and correction.
A white vocal quintet from Sidney. Musically, think Deep River Boys.

Maybellene (2:33) 1955

78: Philips P-37031 • Australia, 1955

KINKS (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1292 for biographical info.

Bye Bye Johnny (2:27) 1965 (live)
Little Queenie (1:48) 1964 (live)

2-CD set: Transmissions 1964-1968 [Audio Vaults AV-201809] • UK, 2019

”Little Queenie” recorded 7 September, 1964, BBC Saturday Club, Playhouse Theatre, London.
”Bye Bye Johnny” French TV broadcast - Recorded live 24 April 1965 at the Palais De La Mutualite, Paris.
Again sorry to say, but there’s something wrong with The Kinks and rock’n’roll, they just don’t match.

CHARLIE LILLY (USA)

Nadine (3:30) 1974

45: Revelation Records Ltd. AS-1027 • USA, 1974

The seller on eBay wrote that it was a garage 45, however, it’s more like a soul blues with harmonica. It’s in stereo and was as printed on the label Recorded in the country at Appalachia Sound Recording Studios, Chillicothe, Ohio. The A-side is “Mama Can’t Sleep” written by one Walt Cook.

MASTER’S APPRENTICES (Australia)

See Volume 3, pages 1347-1348 for biographical info.

Around And Around (2:55) 1966
Carol (2:34) 1966
I’m Talking About You (1:56) 1966
Johnny B. Goode (2:27) 1966
Maybellene (2:02) 1966
Too Much Monkey Business (2:35) 1966

CD: From Mustangs To Masters, First Year Apprentices [Nickoff Records NCD-1] • Australia, 2004

21 previously unreleased tracks. They also did “Route 66” (two versions) which is modelled after the Berry/ Stones versions. All recorded in April 1966 at The Garage. Sound quality is not perfect, and for fans only.

EARL PRESTON & The T.T.’s (UK)

Mersey Beat quintet who had one single out on Fontana in 1963, and was also featured on tracks by Eden Kane and Cy Tucker. The latter part of the group. Lead singer George Joseph Spruce from Liverpool took his stage name from his brother-in-law Earl and American artist Preston Epps.

Betty Jean (2:37) 1963

CD: Unearthed Merseybeat Vol. 3 [Viper CD-032] • UK, 2005

Previously unissued demo. Thanks to Peter Checksfield for this entry.

PRETTY THINGS (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1431 for biographical info.

Johnny B. Goode (1:42) 1964 (live)

CD Box set: Bouquets From A Cloudy Sky [Snapper SMABX-1029] • UK, 2015

Previously unissued track from the BBC 2 Live on the Beat Room, recorded December 1964. The box is a collectors item consisting of all their original albums on 11 CDs, a copy of an acetate (4 tracks), and rarities on 2 CDs, and 2 DVDs, plus memorabilia and a thick hardcover book. Released to commemorate the band's 50th Anniversary.

ROLLING STONES (UK)

See volume 3, pages 1475-1477 for biographical info.

Little Queenie (4:18) 1998 (live)

2 CD: Bridges To Buenos Aires [Eagle Rock RBCD-5407] • USA, 2019 (CD + Blue-Ray)
3 LP: Bridges To Buenos Aires [Eagle Rock 20451] • USA, 2019 (Black or blue vinyl)

Recorded live at River Plate Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina on 5 April 1998.
Don’t know what happened but this one doesn’t live up to the band’s reputation. There’s something wrong with the drums and bass.

STORMY TEMPEST (UK)

Johnny B. Goode (2:38) 1989

45: Everbimes EVB-0071 • UK, 1989 (picture sleeve)

I did spot this on 45cat but haven’t been able to find a link to listen to it or any info. Maybe a reader can?