In a new release that links Chuck Berry’s famous rock & roll song “Johnny B. Goode” with the careers of three seasoned musicians, Molland, Solem & Miller look back at the landmark track. The recording includes Joey Molland, who has since passed away, on lead vocals and serves as a tribute to Berry’s influence on numerous generations of rock artists while at the same time preserving one of Molland’s last recorded performances. The single is coming out just two days before what would have been Berry’s 100th birthday and therefore has considerable historical importance in addition to its status as a tribute to a major figure in popular music.
Berry’s skills as a songwriter and guitarist were instrumental in laying the foundations of rock & roll, which is why “Johnny B. Goode” was such an appropriate selection for this collaboration. Molland, Phil Solem and Jeff Miller all have a long-standing admiration for Berry’s work and it was this mutual appreciation that led them to go back and listen to his music together. The lead vocal in this version is provided by Molland and gives the performance a distinct focus, while the recording as a whole reflects the common passion for classic rock & roll that united the three musicians.
“Johnny B. Goode” honours a composition which has always been closely linked with the early days of rock & roll. In choosing one of Berry’s most well-known songs, Molland, Solem and Miller show recognition of the long-lasting impact of his songwriting and guitar playing. Their version also links their own musical backgrounds with that of an earlier generation, maintaining a focus on a song which has stayed in rock history.
After Molland died in 2025, this edition acquires a more personal character. The recording was finished just three months before his death and thus includes his input together with his long-time colleagues Solem and Miller, which gives the single a significance that goes beyond simply paying homage to Berry’s music. For those who are familiar with Molland’s work with Badfinger, it forms another element of his recorded legacy. Since it is coming out before the centenary of Berry’s birth, “Johnny B. Goode” serves as both a tribute to a rock & roll pioneer and as a enduring reminder of Molland’s musical contribution.
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