St. Louis, Missouri: Chuck Berry Statue

Larger-than life bronze of the rock legend playing his big electric-acoustic guitar, dancing across a brick pavement.

A larger-than-life statue of St. Louis native Chuck Berry presides over a hipster enclave called U. City near the campus of Washington University. The ageless father of rock 'n' roll continues to perform a monthly gig at the Blueberry Hill nightclub across the street, but even after the flesh-and-blood Chuck has gone to the promised land, the bronze version will continue to rock. Literally. The statue is anchored on springy rods that make it push back when you give it a little nudge. Just like Chuck himself.

A larger-than life bronze statue of early rocker Chuck Berry has been erected in his hometown of St. Louis -- despite protests from some residents who said that no one convicted of a felony (as Berry was) should get a statue. The bronze shows Berry in his prime, playing his big electric-acoustic guitar, dancing across a stage. It's across the street from Blueberry Hill, a bar where octogenarian Berry still performs once a month. Behind the statue are hollow stainless steel walls with a blue-light LED system. The statue's backers say that the walls will illuminate the musical notes of "Johnny B. Goode," one of Berry's hits, once the plaza is formally dedicated on July 29.