Berry was quite a character and his eccentricities and hard-nosed insistence on getting paid up front had a lot to do with his way above average intelligence, which needed some outlet. Glad he stuck to his guns over getting paid, because blacks were treated badly, along with underrepresented whites, in the music business; but blacks undoubtedly had it worse. Thinking of the many Delta bluesmen whose works were exploited by the Stones and others.
As for Berry’s womanizing and related issues, my above anecdote was not a character review, but merely my one-time personal experience in an era when many men of all colors in all situations felt free to come on to women inappropriately. His warm friendliness that particular evening actually surprised me; but given the times and where he was performing, doubtless he felt some kind of restraint.
I agree that the attitudes towards southern “racism” by northern whites are mind-boggling, given the difference in demographics. Democrats, then as now, were the major racists in government and society, harming everyone with their wicked ways, all blamed on the civil, tolerant or courteous folks.
Love that train number.
Further to my statement above, the fraternities at northeast colleges pledged black members in the early sixties, probably still do.
Lordy
I lived in Manhattan eight years.....my paramour for half that was a Barnard professor
I understand fully northern hypocrisy over race
A gift we southerners have enjoyed since the founding
I’ve found northerners find in the south usually that which their own prejudice predicts
What we call a narrative in today speak..