Little Richard: Long Tall Sally

The song was originally titled "The Thing."  As "Long Tall Sally", Little Richard's classic has been covered hundreds of times. It's a 12 bar blues tune done to a rock n roll beat. It's one of the greatest songs of all time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxNSvFMkag

David Bowie: Modern Love (1983)

This might be Bowie's most infectious song. He claims Little Richard inspired the song about the battle between God and man. Nile Rodgers produced and played guitar and Stevie Ray Vaughan played lead guitar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hDbpF4Mvkw

1955 in music

“Rock Around the Clock” appears on the British charts for the first time. The song would not become a hit in the U.S. until the film Blackboard Jungle is released later in the year. The song ignited the First Rock Era (1955-59). The song reaches #1 on the charts. Shortly thereafter, Little Richard records “Tutti Frutti” and Elvis hires Colonel Tom Parker to manage his career.  Additionally, Pat Boone debuts and 45s outsell 78s for the first time in history.

#1 song of 1955:

Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and the Comets: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-qjc17KEsc

Other hits:

Sixteen Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUpTJg2EBpw

Only You by the Platters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZs-e_x0PGM

Love is a Many Splendored Thing by the Four Aces: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnDtxiNwDS8

The Ballad of Davy Crockett by Bill Hayes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZoq8yjOvxs

The Yellow Rose of Texas by Mitch Miller: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLw7Rot-9oY

The Great Pretender by the Platters: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gBxeslnd0Y

Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDktBZzQIiU

Tutti Frutti by Little Richard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFq5O2kabQo

 

Earl Palmer: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2000

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/earl-palmer/bio/

Earl Palmer was a session drummer most noted for his work with Little Richard. Palmer helped popularize the “back beat” so important to rock music.

Here is some of his work:

The Fat Man by Fats Domino (1949): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZEx0BRj7O8

The Girl Can’t Help It by Little Richard (1956): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTxZqAmaVeA

Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochrane (1958): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZZD8ckwLJA

La Bamba by Ritchie Valens (1959): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp6j5HJ-Cok

Dead Man’s Curve by Jan and Dean (1964): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YWzN1A-G9g

River Deep-Mountain High by Ike and Tina Turner (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN_Aq2W2Yi0

Sweet Little Bullet From a Pretty Blue Gun by Tom Waits (1978):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ6tobPkzSE

Earl Palmer died in 2008

The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1992

Official Site:

http://www.jimihendrix.com/us/home

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-jimi-hendrix-experience/bio/

Hendrix got his first guitar at age 15 and played it for hours. After a stint in the army, he tried to make it in show business.
In the early days, Hendrix worked with The Isley Brothers, Little Richard, and toured with the Monkeys. He formed the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1966.

Hey Joe (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE3FAY-NOiU

At the Monterey Pop Festival, Hendrix and The Who entered into a competition to see who could top the other.
Monterey (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_742k-ExYwA

Purple Haze (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W55Smyyzs58

The Wind Cries Mary (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwNQoazwf2Y

Foxy Lady (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC4WXown03c

All Along the Watchtower (1968):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6Z7LR8Z9_o

The Experience disbanded in 1969.

Stone Free (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50nmzOqHinw

Fire (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKDQ-l22ayU

At Woodstock (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyGGG1I-rf8

At the Isle of Wight (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KI5IthRfnik

Voodoo Child (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h2ywNdG45I

Jimi Hendrix died in 1970 from an overdose. Since his death, his estate has been quite prodigious with Hendrix recordings. He produced just three studio albums before his death. After his passing, there has been a multitude of recordings.

Cinderella: Shelter Me (1990)

In the 1980s, Tipper Gore attacked the music industry and tried to censor popular music. This is Cinderella's response to Tipper and others like her...and yes that is Little Richard in the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgi5xdftOIA&ob=av2e

The Kinks: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1990

Their career in links.

Rock Hall Bio:

http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-kinks/bio/

Official Site:

http://www.thekinks.info/

The Kinks formed in 1964 and rode the British Invasion to America.
Their first single covered Little Richard.

Long Tall Sally (1964):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2eC0en8a98

They set the blueprint for garage rock, hard rock and metal with:

You Really Got Me (1964):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTV48ZUrfnI

All Day and All of the Night (1964):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4DV-5d6a5g&feature=related

Tired of Waiting for You (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz64hWng2vM&feature=related

Despite the success, the band fought constantly and violently.

Set Me Free (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaojZhoeE5s&feature=related

They added Indian influences with “See My Friends”

See My Friends (1965):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCSzxkbMri8

Sunny Afternoon (1966):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h1oRP7FfBw

Ray Davies continued to grow as a songwriter. The Kinks entered their peak creative period in 1967.

Waterloo Sunset (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J3gX47rHGg

Death of a Clown (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnqf_UXmHmo

Autumn Almanac (1967):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_u0gn1I8xQ

In 1968, the band retired from touring.

Plastic Man (1969):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f95UCJs2rUA

Lola (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixqbc7X2NQY

Apeman (1970):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEep67akIn4

20^th Century Man (1971):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrmQB38aT5U

Supersonic Rocket Ship (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XV1WSCgXzM

Celluloid Heroes (1972):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp_QkUVZGPc

In 1973, Davies tried his hand at the rock opera.

Sitting in the Midday Sun (1973):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpxX6tng9jM

In 1977, he scrapped the rock opera…at the same time new acts, like Van Halen and the Pretenders, were covering the Kinks.

Sleepwalker (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-uRq16lai0

Father Christmas (1977):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjaPXihbORk

(Wish I Could Fly Like) Superman (1979):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzgIl9Qt7Bg

Better Things (1981):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYSNj9oyT3w

Destroyer (1981):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRpAANsoG8I

Come Dancing (1982):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs2kFrGluKs

Don’t Forget to Dance (1982):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ta118a0crk

Their popularity declined in the mid-80s and they split in 1996. Rumors persist of a possible reunion.
　

Little Richard: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 1986

His life and career in links.


Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/little-richard/bio/

Another Bio: http://www.history-of-rock.com/richard.htm

In 1955, Little Richard breaks out:

Tutti-Frutti: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFq5O2kabQo

Long Tall Sally: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsJVT8Jr_pM

Slippin’ and Slidin’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP3wdwRhpFs

Rip It Up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REYiLcTrrG8

Ready Teddy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFd4p5Hx-Xo

He continues to roll into 1956:

The Girl Can’t Help It: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dioNDDIqNOY

Lucille: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3-OaNevkfg

Success continues into 1957 and 1958:

Jenny, Jenny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK9x0oQ-Nlg

Good Golly Miss Molly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqHQqb5ot74

1957: Quit to become a preacher. In 1959, he became a gospel singer, but returned to rock in 1962.

Crying in the Chapel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuDnoxtRv0o

His chart career sputtered, but he scored a minor hit in 1970:

Freedom Blues: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1KmS5_nehQ

Today, he occasionally records, performs, and has appeared in commercials.

Influence:

James Brown: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzlpTRNIAvc

Otis Redding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohkFgdCE2yQ&feature=artist

The Beatles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ibeqQA2_Yw&feature=related

Jimi Hendrix: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHlRa-RPjWE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3WsFEr1LOA&feature=related

AC/DC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8THnH-FO3E

Freddie Mercury: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGc3rn8qaRA

John Fogerty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ke4AadQ4lE

Bob Seger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2aBOTNGWMY

RS Mag's Top 500 Songs #31-50

31. Stairway to Heaven: Led Zeppelin- Stairway begins in the middle ages and contains words inspired by a book about Celtic Britain and then transforms into a stadium rock epic as it continually builds to its crescendo 8 minutes later.

32. Sympathy for the Devil: The Rolling Stones- Anastasia did scream in vain…Mick was right!

33. River Deep-Mountain High: Ike and Tina Turner- Overrated if you ask me…

34. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling: The Righteous Brothers- You can tell this is a Phil Spector produced song about 1 note into it…

35. Light My Fire: The Doors- This made the Doors stars, but they had to cut the 7 minute song down to 3.

36. One: U2- U2 drops their 80s self righteousness for irony. Written as the band was falling apart…it helped bring them back together.

37. No Woman, No Cry: Bob Marley- Probably the greatest Reggae song of all time.

38. Gimme Shelter: The Rolling Stones- Rape, Murder…it’s just a shot away. Allegedly inspired by rioting in the U.S.

39. That’ll Be the Day: Buddy Holly- Inspired by a John Wayne phrase in The Searchers,

40. Dancing in the Street: Martha and the Vandellas- Wonder what Martha is doing now?

41. The Weight: The Band- Robbie Robertson wrote about the impossibility of sainthood.

42. Waterloo Sunset: The Kinks- Not about Napoleon; it’s about a guy that does not feel he needs friends.

43. Tutti-Frutti: Little Richard- Always thought this was about a sandwich or ice cream or something.

44. Georgia on my Mind: Ray Charles- A cab driver convinced Charles to record this.

45. Heartbreak Hotel: Elvis Presley- a song about suicide?

46. Heroes: David Bowie- Bowie opened the 911 tribute concert with this.

47. All Along the Watch Tower: The Jimi Hendrix Experience- and Hendrix made it howl…

48. Bridge Over Troubled Water: Simon and Garfunkel- Friendship done at an epic level.

49. Hotel California: The Eagles- The Eagles take on Los Angeles hedonism.

50. The Tracks of My Tears: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles- Pete Townsend was inspired to write “Substitute” after hearing this song.

RS Mag's Top 500 Songs #51-60

51. The Message: Grandmaster Flash- The first time I heard this was in the early 80s on MTV. I laughed uncontrollably. Almost 30 years later, the joke’s on me!

52. When Doves Cry: Prince- This song defines 1984 for me.

53. When a Man Loves a Woman: Percy Sledge- In Michael Bolton’s case, When a man needs a hit song (stole that from the old Living Colour TV show).

54. Louie Louie: The Kingsmen- What are they saying??

55. Long Tall Sally: Little Richard- Little Richard is awesomeness.

56. Anarchy in the U.K.- The Sex Pistols- I am the anti-christ..I am an anti-christ…

57. White Shade of Pale: Procol Harem- They combined classical music with rock n roll.

58. Billie Jean: Michael Jackson- Established Michael as a Super Super Super star and set the template for 80s culture, fashion, and got blacks on MTV leading to the hip hop revolution.

59. The Times They Are a Changin’: Bob Dylan- Dylan picked up the vibe before most people did. A defining song of the period.

60. Let’s Stay Together: Al Green- Amazing how popular this song was. Even made the Pulp Fiction soundtrack.

Rolling Stone Mag's Top 500 Songs #91-100

91. Suspicious Minds: Elvis Presley- The king makes a comeback.

92. Blitzkrieg Bop: The Ramones- Established the blueprint for punk.

93. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For: U2- A reaction to materialism.

94. Good Golly Miss Molly: Little Richard- Another song that slipped by the censors back in the 50s.

95. Blue Suede Shoes: Carl Perkins- The title came from Johnny Cash, the song is so good that is made the top 500 twice (Elvis at #430).

96. Great Balls of Fire: Jerry Lee Lewis- blasphemy to his relatives…song about lust.

97. Roll Over Beethoven: Chuck Berry- Covered by the Beach Boys and Beatles…

98. Love and Happiness: Al Green- Green geared this tune for his audience which was mostly female.

99. Fortunate Son: Creedence Clearwater Revival- Song is about rich people that plan wars and send the poor to fight them.

100. Crazy: Gnarls Barkley- I have no idea why this is here…