We feel secure in writing that there are still a good number of people in Western Tidewater who grew up listening to the early rock ‘n’ roll music of Little Richard, Bill Haley and The Comets, Buddy Holly and The Crickets, James Brown and last, but by no means least, Chuck Berry.

That was time well spent and we envy those of you who got to hear them first on the radio or maybe even saw them perform live.

Berry, a legend in his own time, died on Saturday at the age of 90. He’s credited with making music that’s lasted through the decades: “You Never Can Tell,” “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” and “Johnny B. Goode” are among his most popular songs.

The tributes from musicians everywhere immediately came pouring in over the internet. For example, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, formerly of The Beatles, properly credited Berry for influencing them individually and as a band. Anyone who wanted a life in that music couldn’t help but look up to Berry.

We do acknowledge that outside of his music, Berry probably wasn’t a role model, but his legacy of music brightened and enlivened people’s lives, and that’s what is truly important.