WBBM Channel 2 - New Year's Eve: Chicago Style with Chuck Berry and Henny Youngman (Excerpts, 1978/1979)

Here are some partial excerpts of WBBM Channel 2's 1978/1979 edition of New Year's Eve: Chicago Style, with Chuck Berry ripping it up on the stage at the Park West (322 West Armitage Avenue). Featuring Henny Youngman and Bob Sirott at the aforementioned venue, and Bob Wallace at Arnie's. Includes:

Henny and Bob Sirott inquiring as to what Chuck is to play, and the rock 'n' roll pioneer rambling on about his suit and how "I wanna rock!", before he starts on a long version of "Johnny B. Goode"; three minutes into his performance, we cut to Bob Wallace at Arnie's, introducing Stanley Paul before this part of the recording cuts out

The recording then resumes as Bob Sirott is at the balcony, ruminating about Chuck's performance (by this point, he's on "Carol") - or at the very least, his lips are moving for the first few seconds before we hear him (among his little nuggets: "...his credibility leaves a lot to be desired, but he's putting on a great show, everyone's happy, and no-one seems to mind") - and he shows no compunction about talking over Chuck's performance. After Mr. Berry finishes "Carol," Bob Sirott wishes everybody a Happy New Year.

The director cuts to a Levitz commercial as Bob is still talking, thinking that he is done. Then the recording finally cuts out once and for all.

NOTE: By this point, Chuck's live performances of his classic hits differed significantly from his original 1950's recordings. He had originally recorded "Johnny B. Goode" in the key of B-flat; here it was performed in C major. His next number, "Carol," was first recorded in C major; here he brought it down to B-flat.

This aired on local Chicago TV late Sunday, December 31st 1978 into early Monday, January 1st 1979.

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