Arts & Entertainment
U City Celebrates Chuck Berry and Rock 'N' Roll History
The "father of rock 'n' roll" was on hand for the dedication of a statue in his honor.
The Delmar Loop in University City is now a hot spot for music history.
More than 56 years after his debut single, "Maybelline," hit the R&B charts, Chuck Berry was on hand for the dedication Friday of his 8-foot, 1,200-pound bronze at 6555 Delmar Blvd. (across the street from ).
Also in attendance were legendary performer Ron Isley, KMOX's Charlie Brennan, St. Louis Walk of Fame Founder Joe Edwards, University City Mayor Pro Tem Arthur Sharpe Jr. and Harry Weber, the sculptor of Berry's statue.
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Before and after the dedication, the band Blues Plus played some of Berry's hits, including "No Particular Place to Go."
The 6500 block of Delmar was closed from 9-11 a.m. to allow space for the crowd.
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Hundreds of people gathered on Delmar Boulevard, including members of Berry's family and representatives of various media outlets. Brennan did a live broadcast on KMOX from the statue site.
No protesting occurred at the event; the crowd members all seemed to be supportive of Berry and the statue. None of the people who  seemed to be on hand.
Berry will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Friday's St. Louis Cardinals game, which is scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m.
Stay tuned to University City Patch for more on the statue dedication. More information about the statue can be found on its website.