ELO & Chuck Berry (Roll Over Beethoven) Kel's First Reaction!!

Kel's First reaction to the song Roll Over Beethoven, first by ELO from 1973, then Chuck Berry's 1956 Studio hit. Enjoy!!!
Much Love,
Kel-n-Rich
www.knr.wtf for SONG REQUESTS
Facebook: Richard Gafter Boca Raton
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[@spockmcoyissmart961]

Imagine ELO in concert, the curtain goes up and on stage is a bunch of guys sitting down, in tuxedos, they begin playing Beethoven, and the crowd is like, WTF???........then they start spinning cellos and playing Chuck Berry......crowd goes wild..... that is how I saw ELO years ago

[@jessehammer4440]

@SpockMcoy , Yeh--The crowd went "wtf" because they somehow forgot IT'S AN ELO CONCERT they came to see? .... Oh wait, "that crowd" actually ISN'T stupid just because *you* are smug about classical music. In fact ELO ISN'T *smug like you* about classical music (otherwise why would they have a classical INTRO)? It isn't smart of you to sound *dumb,* fella.

[@ugaladh]

Her face is saying " you got rock and roll on my classical music".

[@sarahkinsey5434]

ELO is keeping me sane right now! This song was the Encore when I saw Jeff Lynne's ELO live last summer!

[@bearballin]

Yes that was fantastic! Hadn't seen ELO live since the 70s! Jeff's tribute to Traveling Wilburys was heart wrenching w Dahni Harrison stepping in for his dad.

[@scottwensing7184]

ELO and Jeff Lynne's ELO always closes the show with this song. Never to be taken too seriously, just a big jamb session. Love it for that.

[@rabbitteyes]

In 1973 when FM Radio arrived on the mountain & I hooked The cable Tv cable up to my stereo radio to 95.5 KLOS & out came ELO's Roll over Beethoven, then Hocus Pocus By Focus & then Deep purple's A child In Time. ..

[@derwoodbowen5954]

This was ELO's show stopper when they played live. Saw them 3 times and they were always really good.

[@edwardmclaughlin719]

Beethoven was the rock/pop of his era. So Lynne used Beethoven's most recognizable "riff" with Chuck Berry's most.

[@edarcuri182]

Yep. If ole Ludwig was alive, and could hear, he'd love this. I am sure of that. Unless he was a complete jerk.

[@waynestumbo2408]

@No Homo Sapiens To bad he was deaf when he started composing a lot of music. we played quite a bit when I was a cellist in high school

[@ffjsb]

While this isn't my favorite ELO song either, I think this is the BEST version of this song because they truly display the meaning of the lyrics. They were just starting to get their groove at this point and I think they nailed this version. They did a great job of bring in Beethoven's music, and did a great homage to early rock music, but then they made it new also.

[@sideshowbob5237]

Check out the Old Boys 40 (Hungarian band) version.

[@davidmazon7516]

My f****** God I haven't heard this song in such a long time. One of my greatest songs ever. I forgot about this song nobody ever plays it it not even on the classic rocks channels

[@alanpeterson4939]

Thank you. Even Chuck loved ELO’s version.

[@woutercarree7224]

But the real question is what did Ludwig von Beethoven think of it

[@neilgibbons2532]

@@woutercarree7224 he. ll love it. Or rolling over

[@TrashWerewolf]

Never feel apologetic about asking questions Kel....an inquisitive mind holds the keys to the universe!

[@martinl8574]

Saw them for their out of the blue tour. They stage was a flying saucer that lifted the top half to reveal Their stage. Also had green lasers soooo cool. They recreated their studio sound perfectly. Great sound great music great show.

[@roberthurless4615]

Martin L I saw that show also. The reason it sounded so good was because they used backing tapes. Still an awesome show.

[@violinmke]

Saw that in Toronto with Meatloaf opening.

[@mellymom1121]

@R Mack I saw them in Providence, RI early '70's . Also saw E.L.P. in Boston. Aerosmith played my high school in '72. Saw The Cars in an underground club in Boston. And saw Boston MANY times.

[@tonyfrench2700]

I saw them in Atlanta on the out of the blue tour AND Atlanta was the first venue to use the lasers,I was 14 and was BLOWN AWAY 🤘🤘🤘

[@2000globetrotter]

ELO did a concert in London Hyde Park in 2014 where they closed the show with this song. Great concert. Go find it on the internet. Comes with full orchestra and chorus.

[@terryzx6]

It’s the first ELO song I ever heard. My favorite song from them!

[@youngbloodk]

The ELO Roll Over Beethoven always impressed me as a cover of the Beatles version, which was of course a cover of Chuck Berry.

[@motyenoham2949]

a classic rock radio station up in Boston used to play all 3 in order once in a while....Chuck Berry, The Beatles, and ELO. Cranked it up to '12' !!!

[@nigeltown6999]

The way he combined authentic elements of both - it masterful!

[@shyshift]

The dissonance is used to mask the key change from E to D without the feeling that it dropped down one would expect. The guitar solo is in D and to get back to E they do this clever riff D F# A Bm. then make that a B major chord and then go up a 4th back to E for the vocal. Jeff Lynne is a genius.

[@highpath4776]

Was that following The Beatles method on This One - Basically every Rock N Roll group in 60s england had to cover Roll Over Beethoven.

[@keneke5162]

He is and admired by many groups as a Record Producer too, to think he was a manic depressive then came out with Mr Blue Sky

[@angharaddenby3389]

Oh Rich! Your reaction to Kel is priceless!!! :)

[@scottrahn3035]

You guys a beautiful I’m sure. Bless you. I do admire your love for each other. And them there’s the reaction. Kel rocks! Much love.

[@thunderstruck5484]

This song big at the skating rink back in the day haha awesome thanks for posting

[@dshep1025]

I ❤ ELO'S version of Roll Over Beethoven. I fell in love with ELO because of this song. It was an extremely creative marriage of Classical & Rock-a-billy. ELO is one of my top 5 favorite bands of all time.

[@tonyfrench2700]

It has to be the "long" version

[@markmaioli4]

This is by far my favorite version of Roll Over Beethoven!

[@colinmcphan]

Mine to. Jeff Lynne improved a song I thought couldn't be improved.

[@bobbeck5866]

@@colinmcphan Even Chuck would agree Jeff Lynne is magic

[@jonathanegrie3337]

This is and always has been ELOs encore song after all of their concerts. Great song live.

[@maryhuhnke8496]

Hyde Park..Right??

[@jumpoffa5011]

Okie dokie smokey, I guess class is in secession and I have to reveal my age. According to Chuck Berry's cousin Marvin Berry, whom I just got off the phone with and sharing this video with; by the way he LOVES YOUR KZbin show; told me the following: In the early years of Rock n Roll the adults were up set with the new sound that Rock n Roll was putting out. Music of the 40's was mostly classical, contemporary, or swing (Sock Hop stuff) It was a time of the Bobby Soxers, ( Bobby soxers were usually for a very zealous fan of 1940s usually teenage girls in high schools and colleges, who got their name from the bobby socks that they wore.), along with poodle skirts, fuzzy sweaters with bullet boob bras underneath the sweater. Sex was selling and the older women were shocked at the lack of modesty that these teen girls were exhibiting. With the teens tuning into Rock n Roll instead of what the parents were use to listening, the parents felt that "Rock n Roll" was music from the devil because the kids would dance at what seemed to be uncontrollable actions. The teens were dancing so wildly that you could almost see the upper thighs of the young girls as they twirl around on the dance floor. Jerry Lee Reed, the Big Bopper, Buddy Holly, and others tried to tap into this new sound rhythm and blues. Performers like Elvis made Rock n Roll more sensational by gyrating his hips in a provocative way to make subliminal suggestions of a sexual act while on stage. The adults also didn't like the idea of rhythm and blues being played in Rock n Roll because rhythm and blues was "Black Peoples" music and these people felt that white kids should stick to what was their type of music, their parents music. The parents would tell their children, "Why don't you listen to the classical music like Bach, Tchaikovsky or Beethoven?" "If Beethoven heard this, 'Rock n Roll' he would turn over in his grave." So to answer this phrase of Beethoven rolling around in his grave; Chuck Berry, Johnnie Johnson, on the piano, Jerome Green, on the maracas, Jasper Thomas on the drums and Willie Dixon, on the bass sat around one night and talked about the music of rhythm and blues and how the white kids were really getting into it. So Chuck came up with his answer to this smart ass remark from the parents as follows: I'm gonna write a little letter Gonna mail it to my local DJ (Parents hated DJ's because they played all this Rock n Roll on the radio and radios were becoming more and more popular and easy to get and it was getting difficult to monitory your kids from listening to the radio.) It's a rockin' rhythm record I want my jockey to play Roll Over Beethoven, I gotta hear it again today (The term "Roll Over" had a double meaning, To roll over meant to move over like roll over honey make room for me - - - To Roll Over in one's grave.) You know, my temperature's risin' (I like what I am hearing) And the jukebox blows a fuse My heart's beatin' rhythm And my soul keeps on singin' the blues Roll Over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news (Tell the classical musician's there is a new form of music taking its place) I got the rockin' pneumonia, (One can't sit still while listening to Rock n Roll) I need a shot of rhythm and blues I think I'm rollin' arthritis Sittin' down by the rhythm review Roll Over Beethoven rockin' in two by two (We got to dance and it takes 2 to dance) Well, if you feel you like it Go get your lover, then reel and rock it Roll it over and move on up just A trifle further and reel and rock it Roll it over Roll Over Beethoven rockin' in two by two Well, early in the mornin' I'm a-givin' you a warnin' (I am warning you that Ill be listening to Rock n Roll) Don't you step on my blue suede shoes (A reference to being cool. Cool kids had blue suede shoes that were perfect. Blue Suede shoes scuff easily and that isn't cool. Today's standards - don't throw any shade onto me.) Hey diddle diddle, I am playin' my fiddle (a reference to Bo Diddley) Ain't got nothin' to lose (Referencing to this reply to the parents attitude towards rhythm and blues and because he is a black musician) Roll Over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news You know she wiggles like a glow worm (Referring to the old swing era music 'Glow Worm' but yet 'She' is wiggling on the dance floor to 'Rock n Roll') Dance like a spinnin' top She got a crazy partner Oughta see 'em reel and rock Long as she got a dime the music will never stop Roll Over Beethoven Roll Over Beethoven Roll Over Beethoven Roll Over Beethoven Roll Over Beethoven and dig these rhythm and blues I hope you enjoyed this break down of Rock n Roll's classic Roll Over Beethoven by Chuck Berry ----- Marvin says Hi! :-) ELO just made a fusion of class Beethoven with Chuck Berry's Roll Over Beethoven to show that these two polar opposite music genres can, in fact, be played together. People had always thought that to be a top notch musician you must be able to play only the classics, due to the great disciplined that is required. However, it also proves that classical musicians can also play contemporary music to satisfy the populations taste of the general sounds of music. It wasn't until the Who that Rock musicians proved that Rock n Roll can create their own "Rock Opera" as in their Rock Opera 'Tommy'. Music has now come full circle and it all started with the rhythm and blues being inserted into Rock n Roll of the 50's.

[@StinkFingerr]

Jumpoff A, Very interesting. Thank you.

[@geanfreitas0611]

Thanks for the awesome explanation! Knowledge never is too much, especially music knowledge!

[@mrbill8763]

I’d love to see Kels reaction to hold on tight to your dreams.

[@shoebop1]

I love it when Kel giggles at some aspect of a song. It's like a baby laughing at something silly.

[@laelpeters580]

The ELO version seems to also tribute their musical influences by using Chuck's song to include a bit of Little Richard & Jerry Lee Lewis.

[@steveh7108]

That is the absolute granddaddy of all Fusion music. Fusion of: classical, Hard Rock, pop music, Blues, ragtime, rockabelly, and maybe even a little Jazz thrown in there.

[@Rockclass]

Finally!!!! Although, in my humble opinion, the best version is the one by ELO Part II live at Moscow, featuring the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. It's monumental!!. If you have the chance to release it on your channel would be so nice. Anyway, congrats that finally came out.

[@ozarkmtnites]

A young Jeff Lynne, I think 24 or 23 still figuring out what he was doing after Roy Wood left the band.

[@ladykoh4678]

Yes, ELO performed this song live with orchestra.

[@kentnottingham9635]

Beatles did this song as well in 1963. Like Rich, not my pic for ELO but sure seems like they had a blast making it! Great reaction as usual! 🤘😎🤘

[@johncagnettajr344]

Chuck wrote it. ELO combines it with a little Beethoven. It’s fucking great!. It was the first ELO song I ever heard.

[@violinmke]

It was an epiphany moment for a fat pimply teenage violinst in 73 of the possibilities of violin in popular rock music. It was the crack of a home run so to speak that I needed 30 years later. Will love it forever.

[@joelliebler5690]

One of their best!

[@james-jn3yk]

They played three shows at the Hollywood Bowl where they had a full Orchestra and played Roll over Beethoven

[@robmcgrath5202]

Rich, a rare moment of disagreement between us. Roll Over Beethoven is one of my all-time favorites from ELO. It's fun, an obvious live jam in concert, and really brings the spirit of Chuck Berry to life. I'm glad you finally shared this gem with Kel. Also, to age myself, I saw Chuck Berry live in 1978, when I was 16. He and Bo Diddley did a double bill. What a great time, I am so fortunate to have been around then.

[@Kel.N.RichReactions]

All good. Glad you love it. That’s why we do this...for the learning and the experience.

[@darrellwood3913]

This was fun.You can tell Kel really likes the Rock a billy stuff.Rich,you need to turn Kel on to some Stray Cats.I think she would really like their sound.Bring it back again is a good introduction to them.

[@jimvinespresents...8463]

When Jeff Lynne/ELO played ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN at the Hollywood Bowl in 2016...it was amazing. Well, the entire show was amazing, but since that song was the finale, they shot off the fireworks during the song. Too cool! And Jeff Lynne on that guitar...wow!

[@margueritewood7036]

One of the best covers ever done

[@williamweiss6128]

Seeing this live, other level.

[@Obedram]

hello friends, very good your videos and reactions, regards from guatemala city, central america

[@dadmateryn8092]

Its funny that you mentioned the repetition. What's ironic when I listened to this song many many times alone in my younger days the length of the song entered the realm of perfect. This is just another example of old music that moves and hypnotizes the soul. I am grateful I was born in 63!

[@bjhellstream]

They had two cellos in the band and live they were crazy soloing on the cellos. Brilliant cover! Beatles made a really good cover early on! Even Judas Priest did one and turned the classic riff inside out! The obvious connection is Roll over Beethoven is about Beethoven and that part of the 5th symphony is the most well known in Beethovens music. It's a no brainer.

[@Ritaholden1]

This is sooo fun. Love this song 💖💜

[@micknordstrom2591]

...and the drums on the ELO version! My God! Bev Bevan is on fire here!

[@LarryZamba]

Probably the finest cover of any song ever, and it’s absolutely brilliant, a 10 out of 10. I’m surprised if you played a violin instrument you didn’t recognize Beethoven's "Symphony No. 5.”

[@Progressive_and_proud_of_it]

Jeff Lynne chose Roll Over Beethoven as a tribute to Chuck Berry ❤️

[@gilmanc]

And the Beatles. We know he loves them.

[@Progressive_and_proud_of_it]

@@gilmanc Yeh. Lynne is a rightous Beatles fan 😉

[@margueritewood7036]

L. Arthur I saw them perform it when they were inducted into RRHOF

[@lawrenceeason8007]

You gotta love their Little Richard woooooo's in there!

[@mary-jessejohnston284]

For Kel: Imagine dancing to this...my god, it was so FUN!

[@jeffreywilmot3798]

Yessssss, the long version.

[@iKozak99]

Surprisingly, I had never heard this one before. Glad I have now

[@colinmcphan]

Great version of a classic Rock & Roll song by ELO!

[@dipsydoodle7988]

I love Chuck Berry and I totally appreciate his version. I'm a huge ELO fanatic because the merger of the classical and rock elements is just so interesting to me. Everything about this song, from the rolling, thunderous drums to the kick ass piano, and my favorite; those dueling cellos is ear candy. I agree with the repetition aspect. It would be my only complaint. I really appreciate this reaction, I felt like I was learning a lot. Now, I don't know if they ever did this with an orchestra, but I did get to see them perform this live in 77 or 78. Try and picture all that is going on musically and add to that a couple of maniacs running across the stage tossing their cellos about and acting like...well, rock stars. I think that's the appeal of this song for me. It's a perfect melding of rock and classical music.

[@alanokelly3581]

This was very much a live performance song; ELO always performed this last and went generally beserk! I saw them back in the 70s and they were amazing. There was nothing to understand it was just fun! Jeff Lynn loved the Chuck Berry song and made it more literal by adding an orchestra.

[@mrk8050]

I saw ELO play this live at Hyde Park 2014 & Glastonbury 2016. Amazing live, Kel needs to hear them.

[@hugolarsson3600]

Him: That's cool! Her: ???? The look on her face: Priceless!

[@frederickwoof5785]

Saw this played live in the early 70's, came out with my ears ringing. They were playing Bumble bee and the stingers at similar time. Don't forget ELP's Pictures at an Exhibition. All influences

[@jennywren7822]

Yes, the ones I've just found are British tour 2018 and North America tour 2019, must be others too, both with orchestra and both amazing. Jeff Lynne's getting on a bit but still looks the same. Really for his age it sounds wonderful. Well worth a look...

[@teresakoslosky3053]

I love this classic Rock song!!! It’s awesome’. It’s FIRE!!🔥🔥

[@crzyasylm8340]

yes...fifth..was a great composer..one of my favorites

[@davidkelly2355]

Your making me feel old Kel. I was in high school in 1984 . I also love when rock bands and orchestras play together. The Moody Blues and Kansas have performed with symphonies backing them up.

[@raymondbonington9355]

David Kelly feel old in high school lol I was 17 in 1973 when this came out .

[@reimannx33]

What a talent!!!

[@johncagnettajr344]

Loved this , I listen to it in the car 2x in a row. I think they did it with a orchestra.

[@elvisdio]

HEY KEL-N-RICH GREAT SONG WATCH SOME OF THE LIVE VERSIONS... STAY WELL MUCH LOVE ..KEEP DOIN WHAT YOU'RE DOIN🎸

[@wordreet]

Heck, how did I miss this the first time around?! 🤨😏🤪

[@philstone3859]

Rich, ROCK and ROLL concierge. Tip generously. Me and my dead horse again. I Will NOT STOP UNTIL I see KELS reaction to YES - DRAMA! The whole album is outstanding but you can start with Tempus Fugit. I think there is a live in studio video even. I’ll leave you guys to it. But I am going to burn this into your brains 🧠 🤘💯

[@kingoftadpoles]

Early, raw ELO, one of my first vinyl singles.

[@JFinSD2]

every time I hear this song....I get an image of the guys jamming in the recording studio....saying fuck it.....lets just have some fun on this!!!! :)

[@georgepoole1704]

rockaria was song we did at school

[@marniethedyslexic6445]

Thank you for your reaction 👍😃mr . Barry

[@terryzx6]

Jeff Lynne’s ELO does use an orchestra on this when playing live. Saw them 3 times back in the 70’s.

[@jeffthoele3539]

It's about time you looked/listen to this song.

[@fredmusicjudd7714]

Hey guys if you want a treat watch ELO doing that song live around 2012 to 2017. Phenomenal !

[@chuckgeronimo2450]

Both are iconic! Chuck is a legend! So is ELOs Version of this Song!

[@frankmcbride7051]

I think Jeff saw it as a natural song to add the strings to and he picked the fastest Beethoven shorthand almost everyone knew. This was the first ELO I heard. My main takeaway was the menacing sound of the strings on the chorus. I was fortunate to finally see ELO play the Hollywood Bowl in I believe 2017 with the house orchestra and it was glorious. They closed with this song and fireworks. I found that version more enjoyable. Rich, you echoed my opinion as far as it being too long and repetitive and heaven knows there is so much great original ELO music to enjoy.

[@22pcirish]

Basically recorded in ONE take! The string players were all classically trained so The 5th was easy for them! Wilf Gibson on the violin is amazing.

[@dpeck4146]

Chuck Berry's original no doubt set Beethoven rolling over in his grave, but ELO's quotation of Symphony No. 5 no doubt set the master rolling over in his grave again... fun!

[@Robert-ex2qp]

It's a fun song, gotta play Chuck Berry's and with his dance!

[@michellowe8627]

In concert this was ALWAYS the encore.

[@jamesbolden9167]

I was wondering when this song would appear lol

[@richardcurley5798]

You have to realize that Chuck’s version was the first of its time because he wrote it during the infancy of rock n roll, & it was meant as kind of a “oh yeah Beethoven, listen to THIS! the roots of rock was always about rebellion.

[@tangointhenightband869]

Much better on 'Wembley or Bust' and I was there... Best, (most enjoyable) live show I've EVER seen!!

[@muserwood]

I think back in the '50s, when Rock and Roll was under attack by the mainstream establishment, people would say "Beethoven must be rolling in his grave when he hears this kind of music". This was probably C Berry's response song.

[@1nelsondj]

'Rockaria' is a better take on classical music, I know you've reacted to that one. Agree that this song is a bit too long, too much repetition. I don't listen to their first 2 albums very much, "Eldorado" is my favorite from start to finish.

[@Richard-26957]

You're right to a degree. ELO (Wood) was totally different to ELO (Lynne) and never the 2 shall meet. And the first album from ELO Lynne and its follow up (ELO2 and 3rd Day) could be seen as test beds for the peak ELO works. Neither were great albums in the canon by popular consent among ELO fans, but were interesting developmental stages. Maybe, in retrospect, they should be seen in that light. After all, Pepper needed Revolver/Rubber Soul and Moon needed Meddle/AHM in my opinion.

[@robertbreedon9137]

When Jeff hits those high notes he is paying homage to Little Richard

[@newslurker1767]

The one you played is a shorter, edited version. I think the bridge she's listening for was cut. There is a lengthy instrumental in the middle of the longer version.

[@JFinSD2]

The guys must have had fun playing this one.....you can almost see them grinning as they are playing.

[@michaelloglio3365]

I grew up listening to Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis singing 'Great Balls On Fire or was it 'Of Fire' ! Sock hop term is another way of saying the 'Lindy', the 50's take on 40's 'Swing dancing', the Lindy was named for Charles Lindberg who became a 'rock star' (not literally) in his own rite for flying across the Atlantic....maybe why the music flew across the Atlantic in both directions ! I very much appreciate ELO's classical touch since Berry's title opened the door to the maestro !

[@nigeltown6999]

The band is called The Electric Light Orchestra - they were a combination of rock musicians with violins and cellos as a part of their line up...

[@rexnerf]

Yes they did do it Live with a symphony. At the Hollywood Bowl just a couple years ago.

[@joezrivera1146]

Jean Luc Ponte is violinist who previously played in well known symphony and ELO used one of MOZARTS SYMPHONY

[@realbser1956]

Thank you for this. And don’t forget the Beatles version!

[@roneichstaedt8853]

And how many times was a Beatles' song only the third best version of that song?

[@cherylfoster1223]

When this started out, Kel looked like she just swallowed sour milk....It's a whole new take on an oldie but goodie. I think they wanted to show you can marry both kinds of music and they get along. Loved this when it first came out and still love it today. Love the original. Thanks for sharing.

[@renefrijhoff2484]

Roll over Beethoven was covered by quite a few musicians. Another band who covered this was Status Quo. If you want more songs that classic incorporates in pop music (of which some also have a bit of rock elements), you should check out Kalafina. The band is unfortunately disbanded as per 2019, but their music will always be there. Kalafina is a Japanese band with the singers Keiko Kubota (alt), Hikaru Masai (mezzo-soprano) and Wakana Ōtaki (soprano). There was also a fourth member for only a year: Maya Toyoshima. Lyricrist, composer and arranger is Yuki Kajiura. Songs on the 'soft' side are Fairytale, Lacrimosa and Symphonia. Songs with more of a rock sound are Love comes down, To the beginning and Magia.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

I think the 45 version of this was my first ELO record. I think Kel should listen to their song "So Fine."

[@Embur12]

I forgot that tune...it's fantastic

[@javierdieguez4765]

Bad ass song thank you so much

[@davidmazon7516]

Your wife does a great impression of a mannequin. Come on reaction reaction.

[@crzyasylm8340]

like Kels reaction..she listened but loved the older..and yes they took a risk..and yes they di do it with a propoer band in concert:)

[@jonathanegrie3337]

Hey Kel n Rich when you here this version THINK BACK TO THE FUTURE and MARTY MCFLY playing this song at his parents prom near the end of the film. The name of the band leader is MARVIN BERRY AKA Chuck Berry's cousin.