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Welcome to The St. Louis Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Construction begins on $3.7M downtown streetscape project.

• Upcoming Bilal concert

• A deep-dive into the life of Chuck Berry

• And more…

Quote of the Week

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

— Edmund Burke

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Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

Which iconic St. Louis structure is known for its unique stainless steel arch shape, standing as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States?

A) St. Louis Union Station

B) The Gateway Arch

C) Old Courthouse

D) Laclede's Landing

Answer to Last Week’s Trivia:

St. Louis attraction offers a botanical journey through various climates and continents is B) Missouri Botanical Garden

News

💼 Business

Restaurant known for pastrami sandwiches and burgers closes. (Link)

Construction begins on $3.7M downtown streetscape project. (Link)

🏒 Sports

Patrick Mahomes throws for 331 yards, Derek Carr hurt as Chiefs shut down Saints for 26-13 victory. (Link)

St. Louis-area native Clayton Keller named 1st captain of Utah Hockey Club. (Link)

🏦 Finance

St.Jerry Kent, Chuck Cohn part of St. Peters startup’s $15M funding round. (Link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

🏒 New York Islanders at St. Louis Blues
Enterprise Center, Saint Louis
Thursday, Oct. 17th | (More info)

🏒 Carolina Hurricanes at St. Louis Blues
Enterprise Center, Saint Louis
Saturday, Oct. 19th | (More info)

Music & Concerts

🎤 Sabrina Carpenter
Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis
Thursday, Oct. 17th | (More info)

🎶 Bilal
City Winery St. Louis, St. Louis
Wednesday, Oct. 16th | (More info)

Family

🎃 Halloween Baby Boo Brunch
9967 Manchester Road, St. Louis
Monday, Oct. 14th | (More info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “A steampunk-themed St. Louis with Victorian architecture” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

St. Louis Historical Events

Olympic Games (1904) - St. Louis hosts the third modern Olympics, the first held in the United States.

The 1904 Olympic Games, held in St. Louis, Missouri, marked a significant milestone in sports history as the first Olympic Games to be hosted in the United States. This event was part of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, also known as the St. Louis World's Fair, celebrating the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase. The Games featured competitions in more than 15 sports, with athletes participating from 12 countries, making it a truly international affair, albeit with a majority of participants being from the United States due to the logistical challenges of the era.

The 1904 Olympics introduced several firsts in Olympic history, including the first gold medals awarded to Olympic champions. The Games were spread over several months, from July to November, rather than the compact two-week schedule modern audiences are accustomed to. This extended period was due to the organizers' decision to align the athletic competitions with the World's Fair, aiming to attract a larger audience. Despite the challenges of distance and communication at the time, which limited the number of international participants, the event was a showcase of athletic talent and competitive spirit.

The St. Louis Olympics left a lasting legacy, contributing to the growth and development of the modern Olympic movement. It highlighted the need for better organization and international cooperation, leading to improvements in subsequent Games. The event also reflected the cultural and societal attitudes of the early 20th century, providing a fascinating glimpse into the history of international sports. Despite its quirks and challenges, the 1904 St. Louis Olympics remains a landmark event, celebrating human athleticism and the unifying power of sports.

Famous People From St. Louis

Chuck Berry (1926–2017) - Rock and roll pioneer with deep ties to St. Louis, shaping the genre with hits like Johnny B. Goode.

Charles Edward Anderson Berry was born on October 18, 1926, in St. Louis, Missouri, into a middle-class African American family that appreciated music and performance. Growing up in a segregated America, Berry was exposed to a mix of blues, country, and R&B music, which laid the foundation for his future musical innovations. His interest in music was evident from a young age, though his path to stardom was not straightforward, marred by a brief stint in reformatory school due to a youthful misadventure.

First Steps to Musical Stardom (1941–1952):

After his release, Berry's passion for music deepened. He performed with local bands in St. Louis, honing his skills as a guitarist and songwriter. During this time, he married Themetta Toddy Suggs and began working a series of odd jobs to support his family, all while pursuing his love for music. This period was crucial for Berry to experiment with blending different musical styles, which would later become his trademark sound.

Breakthrough and First Hits (1953–1955):

Berry's musical career took a significant turn when he met Muddy Waters in Chicago, who advised him to contact Leonard Chess of Chess Records. In 1955, Berry recorded Maybellene, a reworked country song infused with R&B elements, which became an instant hit, reaching number one on the R&B charts and making significant inroads on the pop charts. This success marked the beginning of Berry's rise to fame, establishing him as one of the first architects of rock and roll.

The Golden Years (1956–1959):

Following the success of Maybellene, Berry churned out a series of hits that included Roll Over Beethoven, Rock and Roll Music, and Johnny B. Goode. His songs, characterized by their distinctive guitar riffs and clear storytelling, appealed to both black and white audiences, breaking down racial barriers in the music industry. During these years, Berry also appeared in several rock and roll movies, further solidifying his status as a pioneer of the genre.

Legal Troubles and Incarceration (1960–1963):

At the height of his career, Berry faced legal challenges that led to his incarceration in 1962 for violations of the Mann Act. This period of forced hiatus from the music scene was a significant setback for Berry's career, but it also contributed to the mythologizing of his persona as a rock and roll rebel.

Comeback and Continued Success (1964–1972):

Upon his release, Berry found that his music had influenced a new generation of rock musicians, including the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, who covered his songs and cited him as a major influence. He leveraged this resurgence of interest to revive his career, touring extensively and producing new hits like Nadine and No Particular Place to Go.

The Later Years and Enduring Legacy (1973–1986):

Though Berry's chart success waned in the 1970s and 1980s, he remained an active performer, captivating audiences with his energetic live performances. He was among the first musicians inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, a testament to his profound impact on the music industry.

Life Beyond Music: Business Ventures and Personal Life (1987–2016):

In addition to his musical career, Berry ventured into business, owning a nightclub in St. Louis and investing in real estate. Despite facing more legal and personal challenges, he continued to perform into his late 80s, including monthly shows at the Blueberry Hill club in St. Louis, connecting with fans old and new.

Chuck Berry's Connection to St. Louis:

St. Louis was not just Berry's hometown; it was the backdrop against which his unique sound was developed and refined. The city's diverse musical influences and its vibrant live music scene played a crucial role in shaping Berry's artistic identity. His legacy is deeply intertwined with St. Louis, where he remained a beloved figure throughout his life.

The Final Chapter and Legacy (2017):

Chuck Berry passed away on March 18, 2017, at the age of 90. Just months before his death, he announced his first new album in 38 years, Chuck, dedicated to his wife Toddy. The album, released posthumously, was a fitting capstone to a career that had changed the course of music history.

Key Achievements:

• Pioneer of rock and roll, blending R&B, country, and jazz into a new musical genre.

• Authored iconic songs such as Johnny B. Goode, Maybellene, and Roll Over Beethoven.

• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of its first class in 1986.

• Inspired generations of musicians, from the Beatles to modern rock bands.

Chuck Berry's journey from a young boy in St. Louis to one of the founding fathers of rock and roll is a testament to his enduring talent and innovation. His music broke racial barriers and helped to shape a new cultural era, influencing countless artists across genres. Berry's legacy, characterized by his distinctive guitar playing, memorable lyrics, and dynamic performances, continues to resonate with fans and musicians alike, cementing his place as a true icon in music history.

Connect With Me

If you want to connect, reply to this email and let me know what you think.

I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Yannick Lyons

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