Rock 'n' roll legend Chuck Berry has vowed to continue performing for as long as he can after bouncing back from ill health.

In 2012, the Johnny B. Goode hitmaker sparked fears he would be retiring from the stage after declaring himself unfit to continue performing, saying, "My singing days have passed. My voice is gone. My throat is worn. And my lungs are going fast."

However, Berry, 87, has now insisted he has no plans to retire after playing a milestone 200th gig as part of his monthly residency at the famous venue The Duck Room at Blueberry Hill in St. Louis, Missouri on Wednesday (15Jan14).

He tells the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "I'm thankful for each and every day. We never know when time is up. I'm thankful for performing as long as I am allowed. I didn't know (God) was going to let me be around, but it feels like he gave me a little more time.

"I'll keep going for as long as the big man upstairs allows, and I'm looking forward to 200 more... I'm hanging in there, and I'm going on."