roll over beethoven he was known as the father of rock n roll, chuck berry, died at the age of 90 years old. berry had a career spanning more than half a century with hits like sweet little 16, johnny be good and rock n roll music. his influence, his music and his performance style have been both widespread and enduring. music legends like elvis and the beatles covered his songs. chuck berry was one of the first inductees in the rock n roll hall of fame in 1986. he was rock s greatest practitioner, guitarist and the greatest pure rock n roll