"Gene Simmons recounts the unusual absence of music legends at Chuck Berry's funeral, a rock 'n' roll icon whom he believes was instrumental in the birth of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones"

Gene Simmons Pays Tribute to Chuck Berry at His Funeral

Rock legend Gene Simmons delivered a poignant eulogy at the funeral of Chuck Berry, the father of rock 'n' roll, who passed away on March 18, 2017. The memorial service was held on April 9 at the Pageant Concert Hall in St. Louis, Missouri.

Simmons, best known as the flamboyant bassist of the rock band KISS, expressed his deep admiration for Berry, stating that without him, there would be no The Beatles or the Rolling Stones. He recalled his first introduction to music, which was a Chuck Berry song.

Simmons also shared his belief that his politics as a young man in the '60s were shaped by his love for black music. He spoke about the Supremes, an American girl group who made history with their success during the Civil Rights Movement. The Supremes faced numerous challenges, including being denied accommodation in regular hotels and having bullet holes on their tour bus while performing in the American South.

Despite these adversities, Simmons noted that some of the people with racist tendencies during the Supremes' tour in the American South loved their music. This, he said, was a testament to the power of music to bridge divides and unite people.

Simmons also expressed his disappointment that many major rock artists did not attend Berry's funeral. He specifically mentioned that Keith Richards and Eric Clapton were absent. However, he acknowledged Berry's impact on American life, stating that he opened doors during the civil rights movement that marches never could.

Simmons had a romantic involvement with Diana Ross and learned from her experiences with the Supremes. He stated that for a year, the Supremes were bigger than The Beatles. He also credited black music, specifically Little Richard, Fats Domino, and Chuck Berry, for inspiring him to move his hips before hearing The Beatles.

The funeral was an open casket funeral, and Chuck Berry was laid to rest with his guitar. It was a fitting tribute to a man who revolutionised music and left an indelible mark on the world. Simmons, who gave the eulogy without initially planning to do so, paid tribute to Berry as a pioneer and a true legend.

Despite his disappointment over the lack of attendance from some major rock artists, Simmons emphasised the importance of celebrating Berry's life and legacy. He closed his speech by expressing his gratitude for having known Berry and his music, and for the impact it had on his life and the lives of millions of others.