Pianist Johnnie Johnson dead at 80

ST. LOUIS, April 13 (UPI) -- Legendary blues pianist and Rock and Roll Hall-of-Fame member Johnnie Johnson died Wednesday in his St. Louis home at the age of 80.

The musician was found Wednesday morning by his wife, reported KMOV-TV, St. Louis. The cause of death was not immediately determined.

Johnson was born July 8, 1924, in Fairmont, W.Va., and began playing the piano at age four. He rose to fame after partnering with Chuck Berry to record hits including "Johnny B. Goode," a song Berry wrote about Johnson.

Johnson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in 2001.