He still gets the ladies. Pics by Vita Generalova.

There is a (probably apocryphal) story about Chuck Berry at a 1980s concert that, like most things from the decade, is just crazy enough to work. The single most important progenitor of rock 'n' roll as we know it was backstage before a major concert, feeling surly and noncompliant to the screaming fans outside. In his hand was a sandwich; further south, on his, er, broken arrow, was the mouth of an eager young groupie.

His manager came in, looked down at the little queenie below Berry's equator, and yelled, "Chuck, get out there! Do your show!"

Berry scowled. "Aw man. Can't I finish my sandwich?"

more photos by John E. Coli Nikolai here

Chuck Berry
BB King's
Sunday, December 30
photos by John E. Coli Nikolai

Yesterday, the children. Today, the adults.

more photos by John E. Coli Nikolai here