New Tour, Lots of Covers – Part 2

When I first heard Chuck Berry, I didn’t consider that he was black. I thought he was a hillbilly. Little did I know, he was a great poet, too.

https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/musician-quotes-influence-chuck-berry-2023065

This the second of a series of posts (first one here) about the covers Dylan is doing on the new Outlaws Tour. This post focuses on Little Queenie, the Chuck Berry tune.

Chuck Berry needs little introduction. But in case one is needed, the legendary rock critic Jon Pareles nicely summarizes his career in this New York Times obituary.

Little Queenie is one of the foundational rock ‘n’ roll tunes. it’s been covered by everybody (which will get to in a bit). Wikipedia says Berry copied the tune from his own Run Rudolph Run.

Dylan borrowed heavily from Berry’s No More Monkey Business for his own Subterranean Homesick Blues.

To Chuck, the Shakespeare of rock and roll, congratulations on your PEN award, that’s what too much monkey business will get ya.

Bob Dylan writing on the occasion of the 26 February 2012 PEN New England Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence Award Ceremony

Before Little Queenie, Dylan had covered Berry’s Nadine, Roll Over Beethoven, Around and Around, and Johnny B. Goode. You can find them on YouTube.

As I said, Little Queenie is a significant tune in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. Everybody has done it. For the last couple days I’ve been going through them; below are a few favorites.

The Stones included an excellent version on their legendary live album Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!

The Killer recorded it just a few months after Berry’s version was released. I couldn’t find a live version from when Lewis was in his prime, but this audio-only version is pretty great.

Johnny Thunders of New York Dolls fame did an excellent version. Below is a energetic, if shambolic live take.

Rod Stewart segues into Little Queenie while at the same time wearing an embarrassing outfit.

That’s all for today. Next up is Mr. Blue….