ABSTRACT
In pursuing tradition, folklorists accent the significance of repetitive expressive forms and the import of cultural continuity. While a knowledge of folklore is valuable in itself, such knowledge also enables a researcher to discern marked breaks from traditional behavioral patterns, i.e., dramatic cultural change. Thus, Neil V. Rosenberg has demonstrated that the tradition-based sound of bluegrass music, today an acknowledged “genre” of country music, was initiated by Bill Monroe’s 1946–48 band (Rosenberg 1985:68–94). Without his knowledge of southern musical traditions, Rosenberg would not have been able to distinguish how innovative this “new” sound really was. Adopting such a folkloristic approach, this presentation will initially examine the artistic exploits of Chuck Berry by citing the role that tradition has played in his music culture. Against this backdrop, a sector of his tradition-based, innovative musical accomplishments will be highlighted; Chuck Berry will be interpreted as a musician-actor who has successfully synthesized specific musical influences into a variety of social roles for different audiences. Rather than viewing his achievements in terms of monolithic style (e.g., “the father of rock ‘n’ roll”), this analysis will contend that Berry’s historic contribution is that, as a postmodern artist, he has been a master of the shifting imagery of method acting. The fact that he has convinced so many that he signifies so much is a testament to his understanding of traditional cultures and his artistic skill in successfully manipulating multifarious masks.
