Legendary rocker Chuck Berry (whose only #1 hit came in 1972) collapsed on his keyboard while performing at last night the Congress Theater in Chicago during a New Years celebration.  Chuck’s head was on the keyboard and he was motionless  move for a brief while.  He was then assisted by people who escorted him off the stage.  After 20 minutes he returned and tried to perform with his guitar but then told the crowd he didn’t have the strength.

A Chicago fire official said that Berry was ill before the show and was checked out by ambulance personnel.   After a few minutes he said he felt better and signed a release.

Concertgoer Steve Handwerker said Chuck was giving an erratic, out-of-tune performance. While sitting at the keyboard, Handwerker said, Berry fell onto it face first and was helped offstage. He said he went outside and saw an ambulance at the back of the theater, but ran back inside when he heard the remaining crowd roar.

Chuck, still in his performance outfit, was standing unassisted and seemed alert, Handwerker said. He said Berry thanked the crowd, said medics put on a blood pressure cuff, and patted his chest.

Saying he wanted to give fans what they wanted, Berry did a step or two of what he called his “heel scoop” move and was helped offstage. Handwerker said he later saw Berry get into a white limousine and ride away from the theater.The Sun-Times said that Berry, who had just recently played two shows at New York’s B.B. Kings’s Blues Club and Grill on New Year’s Eve, also said Chuck was not in sync with his Chicago band during the show last night.  Here are a couple of videos from the show.