Chuck Berry gears up for a comeback

The music legend says he wants to release six new songs, but does not divluge more details.

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The music legend Chuck Berry promised a comeback on Saturday with six new songs, some written 16 years ago.

"I'm going to come back. And as soon as I can get someone to guide me - and I do know a little about the business - I want to push them out [and do things my way]," he told reporters at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, which honoured him with an award and a tribute concert.

Berry, a rock pioneer with early hits that included Roll Over Beethoven, Sweet Little Sixteen and Johnny B Goode, wouldn't divulge details about the new songs or when they might be released.

"They might be old, but they are the same type of music that I have been playing," he said.

Berry, who still performs monthly at a club in suburban St Louis in the US, offered some advice to younger musicians: "Keep rocking, keep rocking. Next, be kind to your fans."

To mark the American Music Masters award presentation, the rock hall has mounted a special exhibition with items including Berry's stage clothes, a guitar and his 1958 Chess Records recording contract.

Past American Music Masters programme honorees include Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin and Woody Guthrie.

Berry called the award and enshrinement in the rock hall a great honour. "You can't get any higher in my profession than this building," he said.