On Rocktober 10, the Springsteen Center will be reelin' and rockin' to celebrate CHUCK BERRY AT 100!

September 7, 2026

The Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Monmouth University will host Chuck Berry at 100: Exploring the Life, Music, and Legacy of an American Original, a daylong symposium and concert on Saturday, October 10. The symposium will celebrate the enduring influence of Chuck Berry, of course, one of the most important and transformative figures in American music history.

Just in case anyone reading this might not know or remember how important and essential Chuck Berry's work has been to the life and music of Bruce Springsteen, it's worth remembering what Springsteen himself wrote and posted on his social-media on March 18, 2017, upon learning the news of Berry's death: "Chuck Berry was rock's greatest practitioner, guitarist, and the greatest pure rock 'n' roll writer who ever lived. This is a tremendous loss of a giant for the ages." Widely regarded as a founding architect of rock 'n' roll, Berry - who was born on October 18, 1926 - played an enormous role in shaping the sound, style, and storytelling traditions that continue to influence artists around the world.

Through a series of conversations featuring journalists, musicians, filmmakers, and cultural historians, Chuck Berry at 100... will examine Berry's artistic achievements, cultural impact, and complex legacy. The symposium will open with a keynote address by RJ Smith, biographer and author of Chuck Berry: An American Life.

Throughout the day, panel discussions and film will examine topics including the birth of rock 'n' roll; Berry's role as a uniquely American storyteller; the intersection of race, identity, and popular culture in his work; the evolution of rock guitar; the global spread of rock 'n' roll; and the challenges of interpreting Berry's complicated legacy in the twenty-first century. "Chuck Berry's influence extends far beyond his extraordinary catalog of songs," said Robert Santelli, the Center’s founding executive director, in its official announcement of the event. "His music helped define modern popular culture, inspired generations of performers, and changed the course of American music history. This symposium will explore not only his accomplishments, but also the broader historical and cultural forces that shaped his life and work."

The symposium will conclude with a special interpretive concert featuring "very special guests," as per the announcement, celebrating Berry's music and the lasting impact of rock 'n' roll. Chuck Berry at 100... is part of the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music's ongoing commitment to exploring the people, sounds, and stories that have shaped the American musical experience.

The symposium and concert will be held in Pollak Theatre, on the campus of Monmouth University. Tickets are priced at $150 each, limited to two per purchaser, and will be available for purchase beginning at 12pm ET on Wednesday, September 9, via the Springsteen Center's website. You can click here to purchase tickets once they become available.