In Memory of Chuck Berry; New Version of Johnny B. Goode

Press Release (ePRNews.com) - LOS ANGELES - Apr 06, 2017 - Drummer/Producer Mike Mesey spent many years touring and playing with rock legend Chuck Berry. Today he dedicates this special studio version of his iconic song Johnny B. Goode to his memory and the memory of Johnnie Johnson.

This present version of “Johnny B. Goode” was recorded in New York, St. Louis and Los Angeles. The story goes back a few years to when Mesey, who played and toured with Head East, Chuck Berry, and Johnnie Johnson, asked Johnson to play piano on a recording of “Johnny B. Goode”. Johnson was happy and excited to oblige, as long as it was the only studio recording of him ever playing the song. Years after Johnson’s death in 2005, Mesey heard a lap steel guitar performance by Steve Scorfina, formerly of Pavlov’s Dog and REO Speedwagon and immediately thought of Johnson’s piano tracks.

Scorfina played and recorded the song on a 1934 Rickenbacker lap steel guitar which was regarded as the first electric guitar. After recording his lap steel tracks, Scorfina suggested contacting his childhood friend and former Majestics band mate from Ferguson, Missouri, five-time Grammy winner Michael McDonald, about recording a vocal track. McDonald, (a fan of both Berry and Johnson), liked the project and obliged by recording amazing vocals with his signature sound. Another St. Louis native, saxophone legend David Sanborn, lent his talents to the recording as well; and Jimmy Vivino, longtime music director for the Conan O’Brien band agreed to record additional guitar tracks.

The song has been made available recently on YouTube as a special tribute to Chuck Berry.

Listen now to Johnny B. Goode (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50ANEMN3ZBw&feature=e…). For more information, or to reach Mike Mesey, please visit: http://newzbee.com/mikemesey-national-drummer/