"Tutti Frutti" - The Day That Changed Rock 'N' Roll!

Hi, WA Friends!

Let's take a trip down memory lane to September 14, 1955, when Little Richard recorded the iconic "Tutti Frutti" at J & M Studio in New Orleans, Louisiana. This song would become a cornerstone of rock 'n' roll history!

In Italian, Tutti Frutti means "all fruit" (loose translation).

A Little Background

Born Richard Wayne Penniman on December 5, 1932, in Macon, Georgia, he was one of the founding fathers of rock 'n' roll. His flamboyant stage presence, complete with his signature pompadour hairstyle and flashy outfits, made him an unforgettable icon.

If you're old enough, you remember when Tutti Frutti hit the airwaves, while you younger folk may be familiar with its catchy lyrics.

Does the phrase "A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop-a-wop-bam-boom!" mean anything to you?

I was only one year old when that song came out, but believe it or not, I still remember my mom singing it to me and dancing all around the house to the 45 record!

Tutti Frutti was a game-changer, blending rhythm and blues with gospel influences, all wrapped up in an explosive performance that only Little Richard could deliver! The song would become an anthem for a generation eager for something new, something rebellious.

Little Richard's Performance Career

Little Richard churned out hits like "Long Tall Sally," "Good Golly, Miss Molly," and "Lucille," each one leaving an indelible mark on the music industry. His influence wasn't just limited to rock 'n' roll; he also made significant contributions to other genres like soul and funk.

Little Richard played with a number of famous artists, including The Beatles and Elton John.

I'm lucky enough to have a copy of the "Here's Little Richard" album in my music studio, autographed by him in pencil!

Fun Fact: Jimi Hendrix Played for Little Richard!

That's right, Jimi Hendrix once played for Little Richard in the early '60s! Jimi was part of Little Richard's backing band, The Upsetters. While the stint was relatively short-lived, lasting only a few months, it taught Hendrix the importance of showmanship, something he would later incorporate into his own performances.

I'm talking about things like Jimi setting his guitar on fire at the Monterey Pop Festival during his performance of "Wild Thing!" Jimi was eventually let go, primarily due to tardiness and flamboyant stage antics that drew attention away from Little Richard.

Jimi also played for the Isley Brothers In 1964 on tour and in recording sessions. One of the tracks they recorded together was "Testify," a song that allowed Hendrix to showcase his unique guitar skills. Jimi was let go for the same reason, he stole the show!

Awards And Recognitions

Here are some of Little Richard's groundbreaking contributions to music, courtesy of ChatGPT:

• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Inducted in 1986)
• Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1993)
• Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award (1994)
• Hollywood Walk of Fame (Star located at 6840 Hollywood Blvd)
• Kennedy Center Honors (2000)
• American Music Awards of Merit (2002)
• Songwriters Hall of Fame (Inducted in 2003)

Discography

For those who want to delve into Little Richard's music, here's his complete discography (from Bard AI). It includes all of Little Richard's studio albums, compilation albums, and singles.

It is not exhaustive, as Little Richard has also released a number of live albums, gospel albums, and other miscellaneous releases.

If you're going to listen to just one, I recommend Here's Little Richard (1957) or Little Richard: The Ultimate Collection (2007).

• Here's Little Richard (1957)
• Little Richard is Back (and I'm a Rock 'n' Roll Man) (1957)
• The Fabulous Little Richard (1958)
• Little Richard's Greatest Hits (1959)
• The King of Rock and Roll (1960)
• The Explosive Little Richard (1961)
• Little Richard's Seventh Album (1964)
• Little Richard's Greatest Hits, Volume 2 (1965)
• Get Down with It (1970)
• The Rill Thing (1971)
• The Second Coming (1972)
• Southern Child (1979)
• Lifetime Friend (1986)
• King of Rock and Roll: The Very Best of Little Richard (1992)
• Little Richard: The Complete '50s Singles (1993)
• Little Richard: The Complete '60s Singles (1994)
• Little Richard: The Complete '70s Singles (1995)
• Little Richard: The Complete '80s Singles (1996)
• Little Richard: The Complete '90s Singles (1997)
• Little Richard: The Complete 2000s Singles (2001)
• Little Richard: The Complete Albums Collection (2002)
• Little Richard: The Complete Studio Recordings (2005)
• Little Richard: The Ultimate Collection (2007)

So, there you have it, the story of Tutti Fruity and the man who not only changed the face of music but also influenced some of the greatest musicians we know today!

Let me know what you think in the comments, and ...

Keep On Rockin'! 🤘
Frank 🎸

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