Chuck Berry Cause Of Death: Rock 'N' Roll Pioneer Dies Due To Deteriorating Health

Chuck Berry, often called "the father of rock 'n' roll," died Saturday afternoon at his home in Missouri at the age of 90, his Facebook page said. Berry was one of the most popular and influential performers of rock 'n' roll music, starting in the 1950s, and some of his most popular songs are "Johnny B. Goode" and "My Ding-a-Ling."

The Facebook post that announced the death of the legendary singer said: "Though his health had deteriorated recently, he spent his last days at home surrounded by the love of his family and friends. The Berry family asks that you respect their privacy during this difficult time."

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The St. Charles County police said, on its Facebook page, that it responded to a medical emergency on Buckner Road at approximately 12:40 p.m. local time (1:40 p.m. EDT) Saturday and the 90-year old was pronounced deceased at 1:26 p.m.

Berry was born on October 18, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri to Martha and Henry Berry, who were the grandchildren of slaves, and had migrated from the rural south to St. Louis in search of employment during the World War I era. Since childhood, he h pursued variety of interests such as carpentry, which he learned from his father, and photography, which he practiced with his uncle. He wasn't interested in studies and was also imprisoned once, for an armed robbery when he was 17, according to Berry's biography.

Berry entered the rock 'n' roll music scene in the 1950s when it was still not known. He became a star guitarist and songwriter, whose style was imitated by white performers who dominated American popular music scene in 1950s and 60s.

In 1948, when he was still working as a janitor, Berry married Themetta "Toddy" Suggs, his partner for life with whom he had four children.

In October 2016, at the time of his 90th birthday, Berry announced he was releasing his first album in 38 years, which was a follow up to 1979’s ‘Rock It.’

"This record is dedicated to my beloved Toddy,” Berry said in a statement on his website. “My darlin’ I’m growing old! I’ve worked on this record for a long time. Now I can hang up my shoes!”