I once spent a complete day listening to just Johnny B Goode covers... and do you know what? Chuck Berry's version was probably the best. The fact there are so many versions shows what a great track it is. Here's a couple:
Over 40 years ago I had an evening job behind the bar at a local public golf course. In winter it was dead as a door nail. One evening a couple of bikers turned up and asked if they were allowed in. Yeah, if you’re no trouble you’re okay. Slowly the numbers grew and one night the manager agreed to let them bring their own band in (might have been NYE). Johnny B. Goode was, iirc, their final number. The performance could fairly be described as more enthusiastic than melodic but I thoroughly enjoyed it. A great song which helped grow a love of live music in me and showed me what bikers were actually like rather than the image popularly perpetrated in the media. It will always be one of my favourites. And you’re not wrong, Chuck nailed it.
Yeah, & although good (sic) too many covers go down the straight rock route but, and I quote from wikipedia here "One notable feature of Berry's recording is the contrast between the swing of the drums and piano backing, and the "straight" (non-swinging) rhythm and lead guitar." Although having said the Hendrix does do a rather splendid fast & furious, stand up the aisles & throw your beer in the air version.
