Seventy Years of "Roll Over Beethoven"

It was seventy years ago today, on April 16, 1956, that Chuck Berry recorded the song "Roll Over Beethoven" at the Universal Recording Corp. studio in Chicago. Supposedly the song was inspired by Chuck Berry's real life. His sister Lucy was trained in classical music, while Chuck Berry was a self-taught rhythm-and-blues/rock 'n' roll performer. 

"Roll Over Beethoven" proved to be a hit for Chuck Berry. It went to no. 2 on the Billboard rhythm and blues chart and no. 29 on the pop chart. It has also been covered multiple times. Even before The Beatles became The Beatles, "Roll Over Beethoven" was one of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrision's favourite songs. They would record it for their second album, With The Beatles, in 1963. Another famous cover of the song was by the Electric Light Orchestra, who recorded it for their 1973 album ELO 2. This version opened with notes from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and included material from the symphony withing the song itself. Released as a single, it went to no. 6 on the UK singles chart. The song has also been covered by such artists as The Flairs, The Vanguards, The Astronauts, The Sonics, Mountain, Climax, Uriah Heep, Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Flamin' Groovies, and others.

Without further ado, here is the one and only original "Roll Over Beethoven" by Chuck Berry.