Chess 1729 (original) USA, May 1959
Words & Music by: Side A – Chuck Berry; Side B – Chuck Berry
Musicians: Chuck Berry (vocals, guitars,
electric bass on side B), Johnnie Johnson (piano on side A), Willie Dixon
(upright bass on side A), Jasper Thomas (drums), Etta James, Harvey Fuqua,
Marvin Gaye, Chuck Barksdale, James Nolan, Reese Palmer, Chester Simmons
(backing vocals on side A)
Recording sessions: Produced by
Leonard and Phil Chess at Ter-Mar Studio, Chicago, IL; Side A - 17. February
1959; Side B – 26. September 1958
Highest chart positions: Side A – US #37, US R&B #16; Side B – UK #6,
Ireland #3 (both in 1963)
Looking at the list of singers doing the backing vocals, you may say “Wow!”. That’s basically Etta James and Harvey & the Moonglows, which included a future star, Marvin Gaye.
According to Chuck Berry's autobiography, Berry claims to have recorded Memphis all by himself at home in St. Louis in July 1958. Maybe the drums were overdubbed on 26. September (as the song was included in the session).
List price: Very Good+ is $15, Near Mint is $30
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