Pianist Johnnie Johnson sues Chuck Berry

ATLANTA, Georgia -- The performer who inspired Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode" has sued Berry, claiming he was cheated of royalties from "Roll Over Beethoven," "No Particular Place to Go," "Sweet Little Sixteen" and other classics.

Johnnie Johnson says he collaborated on 52 tunes with Berry and is entitled to damages and half the profits realized by Berry and his publishing firm, Isalee Music Co. Johnson filed the complaint last week in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

The lawsuit alleges that Berry, 74, "took advantage" of Johnson, 76. Battling alcoholism, Johnson years ago was misled to believe that only Berry was entitled to the songs' ownership, the suit claims. Berry, who received a Kennedy Center honor from President Clinton on Sunday, later copyrighted all the songs for himself, the suit alleges.

The lawsuit stunned Berry, said Dick Alen, Berry's booking agent.

"When I spoke to Chuck, he said, 'I'm just disappointed that Johnnie would do something like this,'" Alen told Billboard.com.

"I'm so surprised that a lawsuit could come down 45 years later," he added. "I just find it mind-blowing."

Famous five are Kennedy Center honorees
December 4, 2000

See related sites about MUSIC

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.