A representative for Berry said the 84-year-old rocker was suffering exhaustion when he collapsed. He remained still for several minutes before being helped off stage on Saturday night.
He reportedly returned to stage about 20 minutes later, when most of the audience had left.
Rock N' Roll legend Chuck Berry collapsed onstage during a packed New Year's Day performance at the Congress Theatre in Chicago.According to Rolling Stone, Berry was an hour into his set when he slumped over his keyboard, saying "I'm struggling," before venue staff members ushered him offstage for medical attention. He returned 15 minutes later and attempted to tune his guitar, only to be escorted back offstage to be examined by paramedics.
A review of the performance at Rolling Stone reports that he returned yet again, but this time the 84 year old Berry relented and ended the show, saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, I've been trying to dig myself out of this hole that I'm in. If I'm living next New Year's, I'm gonna walk on this stage and do a whole new show. I want to apologize."
Pollstar reports that Berry's agent, Dick Alen, is blaming the events in Chicago on exhaustion. He said Berry was feeling "tired but good," and heading home to rest in the St. Louis area. The New Year's Day gig was Berry's third in two days. He played two shows on New Year's Eve the night before at B.B. King Blues Club in New York City.
Chuck Berry is scheduled to perform again on January. 19 at Blueberry Hill in St. Louis, MO, where he performs a monthly set.
From his web site: Due to exhaustion, Mr. Berry was unable to complete his scheduled performance in Chicago at the Congress Theatre January 1, 2011. However, he is fine and has returned to his home near St. Louis.
You may reach his web site at: http://www.chuckberry.com/