Chuck Berry is 2012's Rock Hall American Music Master

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum has announced that Chuck Berry will be this year's American Music Master.

The American Music Masters series recognizes the "lives and careers of artists who changed the shape and sound of American culture." The week to ten-day celebration includes retrospectives, panels, concerts and a major gala celebrating the honoree and their music.

In making the announcement, Rock Hall president and CEO Terry Stewart said "Chuck Berry created the language of rock 'n' roll. We stand on his foundation and we are thrilled to honor him and welcome him to Cleveland."

This year's celebration will lead up to the gala concert, which will have a multitude of performers including Berry himself, on October 27. The events for the Music Masters celebration and the lineup for the concert will be announced in the coming weeks.

Previous honorees:

1996 - Woody Guthrie
1997 - Jimmie Rodgers
1998 - Robert Johnson
1999 - Louis Jordan
2000 - Muddy Waters
2001 - Bessie Smith
2002 - Hank Williams
2003 - Buddy Holly
2004 - Lead Belly
2005 - Sam Cooke
2006 - Roy Orbison
2007 - Jerry Lee Lewis
2008 - Les Paul
2009 - Janis Joplin
2010 - Fats Domino & Dave Bartholomew
2011 - Aretha Franklin
2012 - Chuck Berry

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