BBC World Service is offering a special program on music icon Chuck Berry that will air during “The Documentary (Wednesday)” slot this week, replacing the scheduled edition on India’s classical music marathon. This special program, containing exclusive BBC interviews, is also available to download and broadcast from March 22 – April 19.

Program Description:
“Chuck Berry 1926-2017”

A special program dedicated to a music icon who was one of the early pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll. Containing exclusive BBC interviews, Chuck Berry recounts his childhood upbringing; how his parents instilled in him the power of poetry by often reciting verses aloud at home, his early musical influences – especially blues music and the important lessons he learned from his musical idols like Muddy Waters. We hear about his first hit with Chess Records, “Maybelline,” which tapped into a new zeitgeist – the youthful energy of an unsettled generation. Many hits followed including “Roll Over Beethoven”, “School Days”, “Sweet Little Sixteen”, and “Johnny B Goode”. There was also his signature dance, the duckwalk which the crowds loved. His influence on a new generation of music artists cannot be underestimated. His skepticism of the music industry, paved the way for African-American artists setting up their own labels and his original style of lyrical versatility and guitar twangs has changed popular music forever. Presented by Mark Coles.

Broadcast Details:
First air: Tuesday, March 21 at 8:30pm ET, repeating March 22 at 1:30pm ET, March 25 at 10:30am ET.

Broadcast window: March 22 – April 19, 2017
Duration: 26 mins 30 secs (or 30 mins including the News Update, billboard & promo).

Download availability on www.bbc.co.uk/partners: from Wednesday 22 March 01:30 GMT for 28 days.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/partners/english/programmes/the-documentary-wed-chuck-berry