Johnnie Johnson, 80, Chuck Berry‘s collaborator and the inspiration for “Johnny B. Goode,” died at his St. Louis home April 13th. The cause of death was not known at press time, but Johnson had been suffering from pneumonia and was on dialysis for a kidney ailment, according to his friend John May.
The piano player collaborated with Berry on more than 50 legendary songs. In 2000, he sued Berry for royalties and proper credit, but the suit was tossed because too many years had passed since the disputed songs were written.
After he and Berry parted ways, Johnson performed with Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, John Lee Hooker and Bo Diddley, among others. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.