Will Chuck Play It?

Dick Cavett was on CBS Sunday Morning this Sunday morning and it reminded me that the second time I saw Chuck Berry on television was in December 1970 on the Dick Cavett show.  Can't find it on youtube, but word from Morten Reff is that he played "Tulane," a song that would become a favorite of mine when I finally got the record "Back Home" about half a year later.  The song was never a hit, but it was never forgotten and gets played in basements and bars all over.  Here are some random versions.  The most elegant (which says "by me") is by a different me and is second down.  And Joan Jett's version  may be my favorite because hey-- a song about a cool girl ought to be sung and celebrated by one.



This guy (not me) nails the intro-- which has an interesting twist from the standard "Chuck Berry" intro.  (I just figured it out myself.)



Here's another:



These guys got the beginning of the intro right:



Here's the best produced of the lot so far:



A hit version:



And of course, good to see a woman do a song that celebrates a woman:



Have to say, Mr. Berry: the people can't be wrong.  If we love the song enough to cover it in our bars and basements, you should play it for us once in a while!