Chuck Berry, one of rock and roll’s true pioneers, was recently honored with a unique Bennett recognition award by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Berry received the American Music Masters Award, an achievement award given out each year by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, in conjunction with Case Western Reserve University. These achievement awards honor musicians who have played significant roles in the evolution of popular music, and whose stories, accomplishments, and contributions merit broader recognition.
This prestigious award was presented to Berry during a special awards ceremony and tribute concert held October 27, 2012, at the PlayhouseSquare’s State Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio. The tribute concert included performances by Ernie Isley and Darryl DMC McDaniels, Joe Bonamassa, Rick Derringer, Rosie Floresm John Fullbright, David Johansen, Ronnie Hawkins, Steve Jordan, and Merle Haggard. This event was part of the week-long American Music Masters Series.
The unique Bennett recognition trophy "Harmonize", which is based on a stylized musical note, was used for these special achievement awards. This distinctive sculpture design was originally created by Bennett Awards sculptor Tom Bennett. This sculpture trophy was mounted on a round black marble base that featured custom engraving of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum logotype on the top of the base, and recipient and award information on the side of the base.
Chuck Berry was one of the early pioneers and innovators in Rock and Roll Music, and the first inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. With songs such as "Maybellene", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B. Goode", Berry refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll unique and distinctive, with lyrics focusing on teen life and consumerism and utilizing guitar solos and showmanship that would be a major influence on subsequent rock music.
This is the sixth straight year that Bennett Awards has produced achievement trophies for this event. Past recipients of these distinctive trophies include Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Les Paul, Fats Domino, and Dave Bartholomew. More info on these awards can be found at: "American Music Masters Awards".