On this day, Dec. 23, in 1959, rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Chuck Berry was arrested on charges of violating the Mann Act, which prohibits transporting a female across state lines for “immoral purposes.”
Berry, with such hits as “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” and “Johnny B. Goode,” contended that he brought a 14-year-old girl to Missouri to work at his nightclub for legitimate employment purposes.
The Mann Act, passed by Congress in 1910, was primarily aimed at curbing organized prostitution.
Berry was convicted and was sentenced to five years in prison.
He appealed, arguing that the judge made racist comments, and received a new trial. Berry was convicted, and served 20 months in prison.
Berry, now 85, was one of the first musicians elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
— Scott McCabe
