Allen Toussaint – $3 million
Greatest Hits: Working in the Coal Mine, Yes We Can Can, Java
Born in Gert Town, Louisiana, Allen Toussaint was one of New Orleans’ most prominent rhythm-and-blues genre figures. He began his career in the 1950s and was described as a “backroom figure” for his writing and composition. He wrote songs such as “Fortune Teller,” “Working in the Coal Mine,” “Java,” “Mother – in – Law” and more. He also produced some big hits, including “Lady Marmalade” and “Right Place, Wrong Time.” He learned to play the piano as an elderly neighbor’s boy. His father also played the trumpet and worked on the railway.
Allen Toussaint
Chuck Berry – $10 million
Greatest Hits: Ida Red, You Can Never Tell, Johnny B. Goode
Chuck Berry was dubbed “Father of Rock ‘N Roll.” He refined and re-adapted rhythm and blues to form rock and roll, and created a style of guitar solos and showy performances that became the basis of the genre. Born in St. Louis, he was involved in music at an early age. He began playing with the band The Johnnie Johnson Trio, but when he met singer Muddy Waters, he had his break. Muddy got him hooked with Chess Records and his first hit was Ida Red, selling over a million records.
Chuck Berry