Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry Acoustic Guitar Cover - Jez Quayle Rock and Roll

If you'd like to be my rhythm guitarist on this great Chuck Berry tune, a song sheet (containing the lyrics and chords) can be viewed or downloaded from my songbook blog here:
jezquaylesongb...
'Johnny B Goode' was written and recorded by Chuck back in 1958 and was a major hit among both black and white audiences. It peaked at number 2 on Billboard magazine's Hot R&B Sides chart and number 8 on its Hot 100 chart. It's ranked as number seven on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
I'm not planning to make a tutorial on how to play the intro and solos for this song, as there are some very good ones here on KZbin already. Here's a link for learning the intro: • Johnny B Goode by Chuc...
...and here's a link for learning the solo:
• Johnny B Goode by Chuc...
In my video I play the song in the key of A, (one fret down from Chuck's original key of Bb. Also, because I play this on acoustic guitar instead of electric, I slide up on the third string instead of bending that string. Otherwise, these videos show pretty much how I play those guitar parts.
Actually, if you listen and look hard, everyone seems to play those instrumental parts slightly differently. That's either because it's just really tough to figure out exactly what Chuck did, or because they've deliberately or accidentally added small variations. In any case, Chuck never played those guitar parts live like he played them on his famous record. He was a great improviser, and probably never played any song exactly the same twice.
My Tutorial #2 ( • Tutorial #2 - Chuck Be... ), plus the song sheet from my songbook blog (link given above) are all you need to play the rest of the song.
I hope that helps! - Jez

[@benbam6519]

This is the Johnny B. Goode acoustic guitar at its best that I've ever heard. Wonderful !

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@naytch2003]

Whoever disliked this ain't ready for this yet..but their kids are gonna love it!!

[@lesdunn736]

Hang on in there buddy. A bright light in lockdown. Thank you for sharing.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Les! Glad you like it.

[@Sky_Nett]

Jez you are true master of guitar! Congratulations!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks!

[@ThereseLefebvreComposerPianist]

Exceptional guitar work... the good mood is on... awesome performance Maestro 👌🌹

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Therese! Glad you like it. :D

[@critictactic7090]

Sounds amazing and the vocal is great!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@AlexB-Music-UK]

That was brilliant Jez! A difficult song to play in my opinion so I'm really impressed you could do it so well on the acoustic!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Alex! Yes, it's much easier playing this stuff on electric guitar, but I still like to do it on acoustic.

[@grahamsullivan5322]

Rockin mate. Can ya teach us?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Graham. I wasn't planning to make a tutorial on how to play the intro and solos for this song as there are some good ones here on KZbin already. Here's a link for learning the intro: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qonYaGpqj9ilrJI ...and here's a link for learning the solo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqGyqql-pa11pKM Because I play this on acoustic guitar instead of electric, I slide up on the third string instead of bending that string. Otherwise, these videos show pretty much how I play it. Everyone plays these guitar parts slightly differently, and everyone thinks they have the 'right' version. It's actually tough to figure out exactly what Chuck did in some parts. And in any case, Chuck never played those guitar parts live like he played them on his famous record. My Tutorial #2 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWqui2SjfcmNh5o), plus the song sheet from my songbook blog (jezquaylesongbookhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/johnny-b.-goode-in-a.pdf) are all you need to play the rest of the song. I hope that helps! - Jez

[@buskie4079]

Fantastic dude! 👍 You really rock. Thank you for your great tutorials!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Buskie! I'm glad you're finding my videos useful.

[@igor_nokiaman]

Rock-and-roll forever👍👍👍🔥🔥🔥👏👏👏

[@edithdederichs8217]

Wow Jez... that’s more than good... it‘s Johnny B. fantastic 😀👍😍... I go crazy about your acoustic Rock‘n Roll groove...can‘t stop practicing on my guitar and I have lot’s of fun 😀👍🤩thank you for your videos ‼️

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hehehe ....well, thanks very much Edith! Keep on rockin'!

[@rajneeshaiyer]

WHOA that's SO awesome 😍❤️ both the guitar and vocal 👌🏽BRILLIANT!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@janetsimpson4500]

Thanks for that Jez, amazing , brilliant as always. Danced an energetic jive around the room , great for morale, keep up the music making , see you at the Bandstand soon I hope! Take care Janet 😎😊😎😊

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Janet! I'm glad it got you dancing and boosted your morale. See you soon I hope! - Jez

[@danteciccarelli2790]

I had a feeling this would be a good acoustic song, I love the way you did the beginning

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Dante!

[@JamesBrown-ld8um]

#respect, you absolutely crushed that song. Brilliant!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much James!

[@andrewmoore193]

Class chum 👏👏👏👏🎶🎸 always wanted to learn that song 🙄🎶🎶🎶thankyou for sharing...

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Andrew!

[@viengamboa1200]

Im from the Philippines, and I would love to see this guy perform. damn guitar skills. this guy is lit.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! I'd love to play in the Philippines! :D

[@G0K3001]

I just woke up to take a allergy med. It's 2:24 a.m. Your video, worked better the allergy pill. THANKS-

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hehehe ...I'm glad it helped!

[@MustafaBaabad]

Very good play and very lively too. Thanks from Indonesia.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Mustafa!

[@dallastoto3189]

Nice job Mate!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@w.larson34]

Wow!

[@テラ-x2j]

You'r sing&guitar play is very great!! I'm japaneese I like this song 　Ising with the guitar My guitar is Gibson

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@Usksider]

Beautifully done Jez!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much John!

[@A_Mis_Hijos]

Soy tu fan.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Gracias!

[@rockroll456]

Absolutely belter bud👍👍👍🎸🎶🎶

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much mate!

[@paulsanders1806]

Oh yes Jez.Brilliant cover 💚👍🏻

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Paul!

[@gregjiede5741]

Just BRILLIANT!!!!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Greg!

[@LukeMcHale]

Jez you nailed the guitar work - difficult playing all those licks on acoustic, well done!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Luke! This is the video I originally sent to Paul (the drummer) to play along with when we made our multi-video recording of this song. The drum video he sent me didn't quite work against this video, so I re-recorded my parts whilst playing along with him. I remembered that I had this solo acoustic version the other day and thought it would be good to upload it.

[@reupaxac5155]

¡¡¡¡¡Excelente!!!!! Gracias por la música✌️

[@RocknRollSongbook]

¡Muchas gracias Reu! Me alegra que te gusten mis videos.

[@ayumpratama9903]

Dude! That's EPIC!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@billstraka4946]

Thank you Sir, love the videos and lessons ✌🏻

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@martinvisagie9377]

Hi Jez, my name is martin, Just want to thank you very much for showing us how to play some "Rock and Roll" songs. Please, I was wondering and if that's okay with you - I'm gonna ask you maybe a stupid question but, may i please ask you also to show me how to play some other songs as well? Like: 1) Long cool woman in a black dress - The Hollies; 2) Oh, Boy - Buddy Holly; 3) Hippy, hippy Shake - The Swinging Blue Jeans; 4) Rock 'N' Roll Ruby - Johnny Cash; 5) Old Time Rock 'N' Roll - Bob Seger; 6) Milk Cow Blues - Elvis; 7) Ackey breaky heart - Billy Ray Cyrus; 8) I can't dance no more - Juanita Du Plessis; 9) Midnight Special - CCR; 10) That's Alright, mamma - Elvis; 11) Back in the USA - Chuck Berry; 12) Ooh, My head - Richie Valens; 13) Lewis Boogie - Jerry Lee Lewis; 14) Ooby Dooby - Roy Orbison; 15) Pink Cadillac - Jerry Lee Lewis; 16) Rip it Up - Little Richard; 17) She's in love with You - Suzi Quatro; 18) The Twist - Chubby Checker; 19) Vyfster; 20) Happy Birthday Blues - B.B King; ... Sorry for the long list, but this is my top list of music i also like. Will you please show me how to play these songs too? if that's okay with you? Thank you very much! Have a great day! God bless you!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Hi Martin. Thanks for the requests. Some great songs there, including some that don't really fit into the 1950s rock 'n' roll / rockabilly focus of my channel. For various reasons my KZbin output is pretty sporadic, but I keep a list of songs I plan to make tutorials for eventually, and some of yours are on that list.

[@eveningcovers7397]

You are so talented! Really enjoyed this video, thank you!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Ruslan!

[@eveningcovers7397]

@@RocknRollSongbook Greetings from Russia!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

@@eveningcovers7397 Greetings from England!

[@SUNNYD3322]

Brilliant cover. One of my Fav! 5*

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Wow, thanks very much sunnyd!

[@Fronz05]

Awesome performance!!!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@gabriel.d6916]

Greatttt !!!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@zachpantelakis5052]

Dude unreal

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Glad you like it!

[@futurosimpleband5846]

OK Gracias.

[@diegoonsoftware]

You rock, dude!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Diego!

[@rasabuca610]

LOVE IT,GREAT JOB,BRAVIO!!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Radoslav!

[@49rockon27]

Great job. Love it !!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@blackPaeSe]

You simply rock man 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@A_Mis_Hijos]

Que bien tocas

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Muchas gracias!

[@LostMountainRestoration]

Great job, thanks!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@Gav_Camaline]

Mate that was absolutely incredible! If ya don’t mind me suggestin, you think you can cover Promised Land another one of Mista Berry’s songs? That song is pretty rad! But other than that absolutely mental cover mate keep ‘em comin!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! And thanks for the request. Yes, I must record that one. Great song. Feels a little weird singing it as an Englishman though.

[@harleygrandpaernie]

Rock on brother Jez.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Ernie!

[@VincentLivreau]

SUPERBE FELICITATIONS

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@sticksplektrumlivemusikfur4948]

Genial - richtig gut mein Lieber 👌😎🎸👍

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Danke schön!

[@naganoqqqqq]

It is extremely difficult to play so well on an acoustic guitar. Love from Japan.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

👍

[@AmazeGames]

impressive all around!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Tony!

[@rayh72]

Crack on jez, well done. "Spot on" intro which you don't hear too often! Earpiece... metronome?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Ray! I originally recorded this video last spring. I was planning to send it to a drummer friend of mine so he could record a drum video (playing along with me). That's why I'm playing along to a metronome. His drums didn't sound quite right, so instead I recorded a new video of me and my guitar playing along with him, which came out much better. Much easier to do it that way round I think.

[@aleksandrsviridenko244]

Hello from Moscow! you are the best)

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! Hello from Yorkshire, England.

[@elcalvoylagatasanjosealmeria]

Muy bueno, un saludo desde el sur de España!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

¡Muchas gracias! ¡Saludos desde el norte de Inglaterra!

[@sundowner62james69]

Great!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@samanthahughes472]

Cool

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Samantha!

[@Gabriel-fj2es]

GREAT.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Gabriel!

[@tommcgrath251]

You really nailed that song jez, absolutely brilliant, I wonder if you could do a lesson sometime on Lucille by little Richard another classic Thanks.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Tom! That's a great Little Richard number, but not one that works very well on one guitar. Ideally, you'd have one guitar playing that distinctive riff, and one playing rhythm. Singing over just the rhythm guitar or just the riff sounds a bit 'thin'. I used to play it in a band.

[@daniele_cz]

Really good stuff, you’re a great singer too. Waiting for a tutorial about this song...😉😂

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Daniele! I'm not planning to make a tutorial on how to play the intro and solos for this song, as there are some very good ones here on KZbin already. I've added some links and extra info to the video description on this topic. My Tutorial #2 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWqui2SjfcmNh5o), plus the song sheet from my songbook blog (jezquaylesongbookhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/johnny-b.-goode-in-a.pdf) are all you need to play the rest of the song. I hope that helps! - Jez 😉

[@КорсарПиратов-в5н]

Здравствуй Джез пишет тебе твой подписчик, очень понравилось твоё исполнение в этом ролике, как всегда вы на высоте рокен ролла, пожалуйста если есть время, выложите ролик с разбором и боем этой темы, с уважением ваш подписчик (корсар пиратов) Константин

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Большое спасибо Константин! Со временем я планирую сделать обучающее видео Johnny B Goode. Я рад, что тебе нравятся видео. С наилучшими пожеланиями, Джез

[@jayakumarg802]

Enjoyed the song

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@gabriel.d6916]

Heyyyy Nice mannnn !!!!!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Gabriel!

[@martinzikovsky7112]

Well done!!! :-)

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Martin!

[@KIN-gg3if]

Good man

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Kinzya.

[@savoirfaire3788]

Wish you'd do a tutorial for the way you played that ........... that would be rockin' !

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks for the request! I'm not planning to make a tutorial on how to play the intro and solos for this song, as there are some very good ones here on KZbin already. I've added some links and extra info to the video description on this topic. My Tutorial #2 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWqui2SjfcmNh5o), plus the song sheet from my songbook blog (jezquaylesongbookhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/johnny-b.-goode-in-a.pdf) are all you need to play the rest of the song. I hope that helps! - Jez 😉

[@lautaa_arg_tricampeon]

Shit , the best acoustic cover ive seen !

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Wow, thanks very much!

[@PapaTube-ep1nk]

Any chance of a tutorial in A Key without Bar chords and a intro

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I may well do that. In the meantime, all you really need is a song sheet (containing the lyrics and chord) like this one on my songbook blog: jezquaylesongbookhome.files.wordpress.com/2021/03/johnny-b.-goode-in-a.pdf Johnny B Goode sounds great with open chords. Instead of an E7, I'd suggest playing a plain E chord. Use a 'train strum' like this: DU DU DU DU (D = down-strum on the beats / U = up-strum on the &'s between the beats). Strum a little harder on beats 2 and 4 in the bar (the back beat). I hope that helps - Jez

[@mauriziobiffi58]

👍

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Maurizio.

[@sergiohebling6238]

Hi, Jez. You are so good ... For How long are you playing the guitar?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Sergio! I've been playing since I was 14 years old ....so, 41 years.

[@sergiohebling6238]

Hi, Jez. When Will you be on Zoom Sessions? Pleasy ler me know. I wold love to participate. THKS.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

@@sergiohebling6238 Hi Sergio. When I teach via Zoom it's on a one-to-one basis (not groups).

[@ricogonzalez4757]

😎 🆒️

[@Aaaa-iq9ci]

How do I get in contact with you ? Do you offer private lessons are u In uk ?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Yes, I do give lessons. I live in West Yorkshire, England. I teach via Zoom occasionally.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

If you give me an email address I’ll contact you.

[@jeanluc7405]

waaaaouuuu ;)

[@PISSEDOFF-MADABOUTIT60]

Jez, I have a question? Someone said chuck wrote brown eyed hansom man, in 1955 but buddy sung it in 1953. If so how did Chuck's named for writing credits? Me? Chuck's name should no on every rock song.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Chuck wrote 'Brown Eyed Handsome Man'. Buddy's version, great though it is, is a cover of Chuck's record. Buddy's version (with overdubs by The Fireballs) was hit in 1963 -- maybe that's where the '1953' confusion is coming from.

[@PISSEDOFF-MADABOUTIT60]

Jez I have another one I was wondering Havana nites.I listen to it often because it's in the middle of Chuck's essential hits on Amazon but, I have to say it's not one for the record books. WITH him singing like that (my dad was not a c berry fan, and was dead set against me playing a guitar that one time I jumped out my second floor window to make a guitar lesson only to find my father coming out of the doctors office screaming at me on the way home.up until I was 14 I was force feed Sinatra on a ever daily basis that it makes me sick at 58 still to this day to listen to.) So I never heard the song until 6 wks ago. Ps. My Uncle was a local comedy star here in Philly the team was called fisher and marks I think there on the web and he dated this beautiful black woman stunning to 12 yr old boy. He thought he could hold back the world. Let me know is it a Cuban song or a Oriental the way Chuck is singing.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

@@PISSEDOFF-MADABOUTIT60 I presume you mean the song 'Havana Moon'? Chuck Berry wrote that one. With its Latin/calypso feel it's quite different to anything else he recorded. If you like Chuck for his rock 'n' roll music, then I can understand how it may not appeal to you. I play a lot of Chuck's songs, but that's not one I've ever had a go at.

[@PISSEDOFF-MADABOUTIT60]

@@RocknRollSongbook Havana moon. Yes that's the song. I can't help asking about things that make a creative mind work. Over here everything is spun to be racist. He is singing like he's Chinese Havana moon wouldn't that be Cuba so who was it directing is voice. Nobody would touch that song today singing like that. I don't want any body thinking I'm putting chuck down I think his name should be on every song for using his chord pattern. If buddy hollie , big bobber, and Richie valens were still around music would be a lot different. Were force feed music that tells people to destroy there selves and friends , family so on. With stolen sound bites. Artist back in the day did not use auto tone to adjust the songs and worked hard on there music. With Havana moon chuck took a big risk singing it in that style. If somebody want to spin that today I want to have a proper answer to floor them. You are the man that I have been watching that has the best answer.please if you are ever in Philly let me know and I'll make you dinner, I have 12 guitars several amps and repair them also.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

@@PISSEDOFF-MADABOUTIT60 I think Chuck was trying to sing that song like a calypso singer, putting on a Caribbean/West Indian accent rather than Asian. It makes sense, as it's a calypso-flavoured song and Cuba is the biggest island in the Caribbean. Calypso music was very popular at the time Chuck recorded that song. Most Americans were unfamiliar with genuine Caribbean/West Indian accents back then, however, hence Chuck's slightly odd version of the accent.

[@dwarfyh32]

Brilliant cover that. Out of interest, what gauge strings are you using?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much! I use .012 - .054 gauge strings.

[@eveningcovers7397]

I think that would be really cool if you do "I saw her standing there" by The Beatles (it is rock and roll too!)

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Yes, that's a great song, and I do play it, but I wouldn't upload a version of that one to this channel, as I restrict the videos here to original, 1950s rock 'n' roll and rockabilly. Here's my rendition of 'I Saw Her Standing There' from my other channel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWHLYXyapr15eK8

[@MrMartin2270]

You are a w e s o m e !

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Martin!

[@VinceWhite-k6l]

Do you happen to have tabs for this?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I've made a tutorial teaching the intro for this one. Here's a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKG0oXtvqapob8U

[@michaelrowlands1448]

On an acoustic guitar, great stuff

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much Michael!

[@mgunde]

farout my man.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@kensmyth9650]

That was the shit!!!!

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Is that a good thing 😕 ...I'm out of touch with the latest expressions.

[@PRINCEOFCOUNTRY663]

Can you make a lesson on this for us?

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I have one for the intro: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKG0oXtvqapob8U ...and my Tutorial #2 covers the riffs used to accompany the singing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWqui2SjfcmNh5o ...I've yet to make one for the solo(s) though.

[@nilsoncoelho7329]

😃👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks Nilson! 😊

[@nilsoncoelho7329]

Estou aprendendo com os vídeos 😃👍

[@andrewmoore193]

Can you put Johnny be good on with lesson 👍🏻😉🎶🎸

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I'm not planning to make a tutorial on how to play the intro and solos for this song, as there are some very good ones here on KZbin already. I've added some links and extra info to the video description on this topic. My Tutorial #2 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWqui2SjfcmNh5o), plus the song sheet from my songbook blog (jezquaylesongbookhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/johnny-b.-goode-in-a.pdf) are all you need to play the rest of the song. I hope that helps! - Jez 😉

[@andrewmoore193]

@@RocknRollSongbook thanks chum got it open 👍🏻😉🎶🎶🎶🎶🎸

[@buickmclean8163]

Good work fella. But, you know that.

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks very much!

[@igstngrbgssuryaputra664]

Tutorial please 🙏

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Thanks for the request! I'm not planning to make a tutorial on how to play the intro and solos for this song, as there are some very good ones here on KZbin already. I've added some links and extra info to the video description on this topic. My Tutorial #2 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mWqui2SjfcmNh5o), plus the song sheet from my songbook blog (jezquaylesongbookhome.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/johnny-b.-goode-in-a.pdf) are all you need to play the rest of the song. I hope that helps! - Jez 😉

[@bencovington1121]

J-45

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Correct 😃

[@svatoslavnavratil9770]

..no to čumim. ...

[@RocknRollSongbook]

Nie rozumiem

[@svatoslavnavratil9770]

@@RocknRollSongbook ...ahoj du bist super...good music ...☺🙋🎸

[@epipick]

I need to get my pinky surgically lengthend.

[@hakanhallesson505]

Lite uppmuntring kanske.

[@pastoredgar974]

They say that Jimmy Hendrex was a great Guitar player. You are away better. PL

[@RocknRollSongbook]

I wish! ...but thanks for the compliment.