Stars of all stripes, including many musicians, took to social media following the death Saturday of rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry.
The icon died at his home in Missouri at the age of 90.
In a statement, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame called Berry an original as well as “a gifted guitar player, an amazing live performer, and a skilled songwriter whose music and lyrics captured the essence of 1950s teenage life.
In 1986, Berry became the first artist to be inducted in the Rock & Roll of Fame. “He influenced everyone who has picked up a guitar after him,” the statement added.
On social media, Berry was remembered and honoured by artists as diverse as Bruno Mars, Ryan Adams and The Band Perry.
“Chuck Berry was rock's greatest practitioner, guitarist, and the greatest pure rock 'n' roll writer who ever lived,” Bruce Springsteen gushed on Twitter.
“Maybe the most important figure in all of rock and roll,” tweeted Huey Lewis. “His music and his influence will last forever.”
"Heart broken to hear of the passing of Chuck Berry," tweeted Slash. "He was undisputedly the king. A moment of silence is idefinitely n order." Nikki Sixx shared: "Without him Rock n Roll wouldn't be what it came to be."
Music industry executive LA Reid shared: “Music was changed forever by Chuck Berry’s groundbreaking impact. What a great life in music.”
The Jacksons tweeted: “Chuck Berry merged blues & swing into the phenomenon of early rock’n’roll. In music, he cast one of the longest shadows. Thank You Chuck.”
"It started with Chuck Berry," Rod Stewart said on Twitter. "He inspired us all. The 1st album I bought was Chuck's Live at the Tivoli and I was never the same."
Country rock star Keith Urban shared: “Thank you for the poetry, the passion and the potency!”
John Mayer tweeted: “Legend. Architect. He built the tools that built the house. Rock on forever” — a sentiment shared by many guitar players, including Lenny Kravitz. “Hail Hail Chuck Berry!!! None of us would have been here without you. Rock on brother!”
On the Twitter account of the Rolling Stones, a message read: "The Rolling Stones are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Chuck Berry. He was a true pioneer of rock'n'roll & a massive influence.”
In a statement, Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger said: “I want to thank him for all the inspirational music he gave to us. He lit up our teenage years, and blew life into our dreams of being musicians and performers. His lyrics shone above others and threw a strange light on the American dream. Chuck, you were amazing, and your music is engraved inside us forever.”
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys called Berry “a big inspiration” and added: “He will be missed by everyone who loves Rock 'n Roll. Love & Mercy.”
Rock great Peter Frampton said of Berry: "He had a gtr style that influenced so many generations of players. Oh yes and how to write a great RnR song."
During a show Saturday night, Kiss member Gene Simmons paid tribute to Berry by performing his hit "Johnny B. Goode."
Other Hollywood celebrities paid tribute to Berry. Actor George Takei tweeted: “A legend is gone. Half the rock-n-roll artist today wouldn't be playing had Chuck not been there at the beginning.”
Alyssa Milano wrote: “Rest In Peace, Chuck Berry. You changed music. You changed everyone that listened to your music. Thank you.”
And movie tough guy Arnold Schwarzenegger shared: “When I was 10 years old and I dreamed every night of moving to America, Chuck Berry played the soundtrack. He rocked the world. RIP.”