Rolling Stones drummer to lead all-star band for Chuck Berry 100th birthday

Rolling Stones drummer Steve Jordan is set to lead an all-star band in St. Louis to mark the 100th birthday of Chuck Berry. The event, organized by Berry’s estate, will take place at the Grandel Theatre.

Jordan confirmed the date and venue in a recent interview. He noted that the evening will serve as a recreation of Club Bandstand. This was a venue Berry opened in the 1950s during a period of segregation in St. Louis.

The venue became an integrated music space, a move Jordan described as bold. He argued that Berry’s impact extended beyond music into the civil rights movement. Jordan stated, “People don’t really understand it, and it’s hard to grasp listening to his music. But Chuck Berry was kind of the Rage Against the Machine of his day.”

Jordan believes modern guitarists often overlook the foundational role Berry played in the genre. When asked if current rock musicians recognize how much their work relies on Berry’s innovations, Jordan responded, “They have no idea.”

The roots of that influence trace back to New Year’s Eve 1952. Pianist Johnnie Johnson hired Berry to replace an ailing saxophonist at the Cosmopolitan Club in East St. Louis. Berry joined Johnson’s trio, and the pair began developing the sound that helped define rock and roll.

Jordan’s connection to the music world began at age 17. He worked at a rehearsal facility setting up rooms for various acts. Stevie Wonder was auditioning drummers at the location, and Jordan was allowed to sit in. Although his age prevented him from landing a gig with Wonder, he was permitted to stay and observe the session.

Witnessing Wonder’s technique in the studio changed Jordan’s approach to drumming. He described the experience as a pivotal moment in his development. The Rolling Stones appointed Jordan as their drummer following the passing of Charlie Watts.

Jordan is also working with local radio host Steve Jordan, who is hosting the Chuck 100 event. The host, who shared his name with the drummer, invited him to the studio. Jordan accepted and later contacted the estate to express his appreciation for the host’s understanding of the music.

The estate asked the host to serve as the master of ceremonies for the evening. The lineup includes Robert Randolph, Ivan Neville, Isaiah Sharkey, Ally Venable, and Eric Gales. The host agreed to the role despite not having a finalized list of talking points.

The event is scheduled for a Tuesday morning session with Jordan, followed by the main performance. Jordan’s participation highlights the ongoing reverence for Berry’s legacy in the rock community.