Chuck Berry’s First Hit Was Almost Just an Old Country Song — Then “Maybellene” Helped Change Rock & Roll Forever

The song Chess Records almost didn’t expect

In 1955, Chuck Berry walked into Chess Records hoping to impress Leonard Chess with his blues material. Instead, Chess became fascinated by Berry’s adaptation of the country-western song “Ida Red.” Berry reworked the music and lyrics, turning it into a fast-moving story about cars, jealousy and young love.

The strange story behind the name

Berry initially called the song “Ida May,” but Leonard Chess felt the title sounded too rural. During the recording session, the name “Maybellene” was suggested after a cosmetic box was reportedly spotted in the studio.

Berry recorded the song on May 21, 1955, with Johnnie Johnson on piano, Willie Dixon on bass and other musicians. The session reportedly took dozens of takes before they captured the version that became the hit.

A breakthrough across racial lines

Released in July 1955, “Maybellene” became Berry’s first hit. It reached No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B chart and No. 5 on the pop chart, eventually selling more than a million copies.

The record was unusual for its time because it blended rhythm and blues with country influences while putting Berry’s electric guitar front and center. It connected with both Black and white teenage audiences and became one of the foundational records of early rock & roll.

But Berry got an unpleasant surprise

After the record was released, Berry discovered that the songwriting credits had been divided among him and two other people, including influential DJ Alan Freed. That meant Berry was sharing royalties from the song he had written and recorded.

Despite the controversy, “Maybellene” established Chuck Berry as one of the defining voices of the new rock & roll era. His guitar style, storytelling and stage presence would influence generations of musicians—from the Beatles and Rolling Stones to countless guitarists who followed.

Listen to “Maybellene”

Continue reading