Minneapolis rock trio Molland, Solem & Miller breathe exuberant new life into foundational rock roots with their celebratory single, “Johnny B. Goode.” Recorded in honor of pioneer Chuck Berry’s 100th birthday, the track carries a bittersweet resonance as it preserves some of the final musical performances from Joey Molland. Flanked by guitarists and vocalists Phil Solem and Jeff Miller, Molland handles lead vocals and guitar with a warm, seasoned swagger that never feels tired.
The arrangement crackles with kinetic blues rock and rockabilly spirit. A twangy, rapid-fire lead dances playfully across a driving twelve-bar foundation, propelled forward by a bouncy walking low-end groove and a crisp, infectious backbeat tailor-made for a vintage dance floor. Molland’s sharp, rhythmic delivery leans into the classic coming-of-age narrative, capturing the small-town kid whose raw instrumental prowess and mother’s encouragement chart an undeniable path toward stardom.
Decades after Berry laid down the blueprint, the myth of the guitar hero still hits a nerve when played with this level of genuine affection. What better farewell could an artist leave behind than the pure, unruly joy of plugged-in strings?
