The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra celebrates the legacy of rock icon and St. Louis native Chuck Berry with special concerts, October 17-18
Anthony Parnther conducts the SLSO and special guest artists Howlin’ Hurd, Patton Magee, Maggie Rose, and Lawrence Rothman alongside band members from the Rolling Stones, the Pretenders, and Living Colour in orchestral reimaginings of Berry’s greatest hits
(October 2, 2025, St. Louis, MO) Today, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) announced details for its celebration of the life and legacy of Chuck Berry. Concerts take place Friday, October 17, at 7:00pm, and Saturday, October 18, at 2:00pm at Powell Hall at the new Jack C. Taylor Music Center.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Berry pioneered American rock and roll with his signature artistry and vocals. The SLSO’s concert includes many of the icon’s hit songs, including “Johnny B. Goode,” “Maybellene,” and “Roll Over Beethoven.” These anthems transcend generations and continue to influence performers today. This tribute to the Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll blends the grand sounds of the orchestra with Berry’s inimitable guitar style and raucous expressions of rock, soul, and R&B. Exclusive video footage, photos, and rare memorabilia accompany the performance, showcasing Berry’s connection to his hometown of St. Louis and his profound and lasting impact on American music.
Conductor Anthony Parnther, who led the orchestra alongside EGOT-winning artist John Legend at The Muny in 2024, leads the performance. He will be joined by band members from the Rolling Stones, the Pretenders, and Living Colour. Complementing this special evening are performances by guest artists who have been inspired by Berry’s career. They include:
- Howlin’ Hurd is an American blues singer, songwriter, harmonica player, and guitarist, originally from St. Louis. Recent accolades include two Top Ten albums on the Billboard blues charts, with Street Sermons and Lowdown Ways (Yep Roc Records) earning five-star reviews from Rolling Stone magazine.
- Patton Magee, best known as the lead singer and founding member of The Nude Party, has spent the past decade bringing their raucous live show to stages across the US and abroad. Alongside his band, Magee has begun carving out a solo path, most recently with his debut solo album Last Cowboy on the Prairie.
- Maggie Rose, a Grammy Award-nominated singer-songwriter, continues to win over fans and critics alike. She straddles the worlds of pop, rock, soul, Americana, and folk, unencumbered by genre specifics. Her widely acclaimed album No One Gets Out Alive was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Americana Album, with Rolling Stone naming it one of the best albums of 2024.
- Lawrence Rothman, born in St. Louis and now based between Los Angeles and Nashville, is known for their genre-bending work as well as their work as a producer and songwriter. Rothman’s collaborators have included artists such as Margo Price, Amanda Shires, Kali Uchis, Bartees Strange, Courtney Love, Sasami, Soccer Mommy, and many more. Rothman’s latest album is The Plow That Broke the Plains.
This concert is part of CHUCK100, a yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of Berry’s birth, organized by the Berry family and Isalee Music Publishing. The concert is presented by the Regional Arts Commission.
Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at slso.org or by calling the Box Office at 314-534-1700. A full concert calendar is available at slso.org or on the SLSO’s mobile app available for iOS or Android.
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