CHICAGO – Rock-and-roll legend Chuck Berry felt ill and was checked out by ambulance medics before a show Saturday night, a Chicago fire official said. An audience member at the show, however, said Berry slumped over during the show and was offstage for at least 20 minutes.

Fire Department spokesman Joe Roccasalva said Berry felt better and signed a release after being checked out. Roccasalva said the confusion arose because emergency personnel later responded to a patron at the show who was unwell.

Berry, 84, is known for his classic songs including "Maybelline," "Johnny B. Goode," and "Roll Over Beethoven."

His agent Dick Alen said he had no information on the matter.

Concertgoer Steve Handwerker said Berry was giving an erratic, out-of-tune performance. While sitting at the keyboard, Handwerker said, Berry fell onto it face first and was helped offstage. He said he went outside and saw an ambulance at the back of the theater, but ran back inside when he heard the remaining crowd roar.

Berry, still in his performance outfit, was standing unassisted and seemed alert, Handwerker said. He said Berry thanked the crowd, said medics put on a blood pressure cuff, and patted his chest.

Saying he wanted to give fans what they wanted, Berry did a step or two of what he called his "heel scoop" move and was helped offstage. Handwerker said he later saw Berry get into a white limousine and ride away from the theater.

Does Chuck still insist on getting paid in cash prior to each show?

Some video from the show that might be of interest... first, here he is at the keyboard performing "Let It Rock..."



Next, footage apparently taken after the collapse... he attempts to play the guitar but after almost a minute he stops, and is helped off the stage...



Finally, video of him having returned to the stage to speak to the fans. At the end, he does a semi-duckwalk, and leaves the stage from there...

He is a trooper! Hope he feels better today.

Word has it he was just suffering from exhaustion and will be fine.

Saw him a year ago----AMAZING show! He had all the women in the lower decks on stage dancing with him for the grand finale. It was very very cool! I hope he never leaves this earth.

That's certainly a legitimate possibility. The night before, he did two shows at B.B. King's in Times Square. The two shows, plus the travel from New York, could have had an effect on him.

I just finished re-reading his autobiography a few days ago. I hope he will get the rest he needs and then continue to be able to keep playing.

For a music geek I've seen a shockingly small amount of concerts in my life, but Chuck Berry was one of them and for that I'm grateful. It's a cliche but the man is a living legend.