Chuck Berry adapted "Maybellene" from the song "Ida Red," which had been recorded by y Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys in 1938. It was the legendary Muddy Waters who urged Chuck Berry to take a recording of the song to Chess Records, renamed "Ida May" by Mr. Berry. Leonard Chess thought both the names "Ida Red" and "Ida May" were "too rural." The song then became "Maybellene" after Chuck Berry noticed a box of Maybelline mascara in the studio. Chuck Berry also reworked the lyrics under the direction of Leonard Chess, who wanted a song about kids, cars, and young love. Leonard Chess also wanted the song to have a bigger beat, so a bass and maraca player were added to Chuck Berry's band in the studio. As shown by history, the combination of ta big beat, hot rods, and young romance clicked with American teenagers and "Maybellene" became Chuck Berry's first success.
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
"Maybellene" by Chuck Berry
It was seventy years ago today, on May 21 1955, at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago, that Chuck Berry recorded "Maybellene." The song would become Chuck Berry's first hit, going to no. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and peaking at no. 1 on the Billboard singles chart.
Chuck Berry adapted "Maybellene" from the song "Ida Red," which had been recorded by y Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys in 1938. It was the legendary Muddy Waters who urged Chuck Berry to take a recording of the song to Chess Records, renamed "Ida May" by Mr. Berry. Leonard Chess thought both the names "Ida Red" and "Ida May" were "too rural." The song then became "Maybellene" after Chuck Berry noticed a box of Maybelline mascara in the studio. Chuck Berry also reworked the lyrics under the direction of Leonard Chess, who wanted a song about kids, cars, and young love. Leonard Chess also wanted the song to have a bigger beat, so a bass and maraca player were added to Chuck Berry's band in the studio. As shown by history, the combination of ta big beat, hot rods, and young romance clicked with American teenagers and "Maybellene" became Chuck Berry's first success.
Chuck Berry adapted "Maybellene" from the song "Ida Red," which had been recorded by y Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys in 1938. It was the legendary Muddy Waters who urged Chuck Berry to take a recording of the song to Chess Records, renamed "Ida May" by Mr. Berry. Leonard Chess thought both the names "Ida Red" and "Ida May" were "too rural." The song then became "Maybellene" after Chuck Berry noticed a box of Maybelline mascara in the studio. Chuck Berry also reworked the lyrics under the direction of Leonard Chess, who wanted a song about kids, cars, and young love. Leonard Chess also wanted the song to have a bigger beat, so a bass and maraca player were added to Chuck Berry's band in the studio. As shown by history, the combination of ta big beat, hot rods, and young romance clicked with American teenagers and "Maybellene" became Chuck Berry's first success.
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