By Bruce Olson

ST. LOUIS |
Fri Jul 29, 2011 8:34pm EDT

ST. LOUIS (Reuters) – Rock and roll pioneer Chuck Berry, spry and smiling at 84 years-old, gave a wave of approval dedicating an eight-foot bronze statue of himself on Friday before a cheering crowd of about 500 people.

The statue was erected in the Delmar Loop entertainment district of St. Louis despite opponents who objected to the monument, citing Berry’s legal troubles during his long career.

“I won’t keep you long,” Berry, wearing his trademark boating cap, told a crowd that gathered despite heat surpassing 90 degrees. “I don’t know how to speak, I just sing a little bit. I’m going to say thank you again, and I love you all.”

Berry’s rapid fire lyrics and revolutionary guitar riffs landed him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and earned the lifelong St. Louis resident a Presidential medal of honor.

He is listed by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the five top all-time rock acts along the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley.

Berry, who first played in 1941, still performs every month at Blueberry Hill, across the street from the statue.

Among those sending greetings to Berry was Elvis Costello, who said he was glad to see a Berry statue “in St. Louis where it belongs” and from fellow rock pioneer Little Richard who called Berry “the greatest entertainer in the world.”

Berry was joined at the podium by his wife, children and grandchildren who joined his fans in singing “Johnny B. Goode,” his signature 1957 hit, as the rock icon

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