Songs That Changed Music: Little Richard - Tutti Frutti

In the mid-fifties, rock ‘n roll was emerging onto the popular music landscape, as wider audiences began to discover the energy and vitality of rhythm and blues records. While many of the first rock ‘n roll performers (like Elvis Presley) performed covers of songs written by others, Little Richard was both a performer and a songwriter. One of his most important hits was the song “Tutti Frutti” which he co-wrote with Dororthy LeBostrie – a song that captured a defining moment for rock and roll history.

“Tutti Frutti” was recorded on September 14, 1955 at J&M Studios in New Orleans. J&M was home to many of early rock ‘n roll’s foundational recordings, not only by Little Richard, but also those of Fats Domino and Guitar Slim. J&M’s founder Cossimo Matassa was even inducted, as a non-performer, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his contributions to rock ‘n roll’s earliest recordings. Many of the session musicians who played on “Tutti Frutti” are the same musicians who played on other early rock n’ roll recordings, like those of Fats Domino. This includes tenor saxophonist Lee Allen, and baritone saxophonist Alvin “Red” Tyler. Frank Fields played double bass and Earl Palmer was on drums during these sessions, and Justin Adams played guitar on the track.

“Tutti Frutti” was released by Specialty in October 1955, only a few weeks after recording. By December, the song had reached the Billboard Rhythm and Blues Charts and by February of 1956, it had risen to number two. The song’s crossover success is a bit more complicated. In 1955, African American artists like Little Richard faced the added struggle of constant competition of cover versions by white artists. For example, Pat Boone’s “Tutti Frutti” was released shortly after Richard’s and reached number 12 on the Pop charts. Little Richard’s version also crossed over to the Pop charts but only reached #21.

Undoubtedly, Penniman had created a classic song and everyone was drawn to it. Elvis Presley also covered “Tutti Frutti” in March of 1926. The Beatles included it as part of their live set in their early touring days, and Queen even played it on tour in the eighties. It is certainly one of rock ‘n roll’s foundational tracks and a song that changed popular music history forever. It was voted #1 on Mojo’s 2007 list of “The Top 100 Records that Changed the World” declaring it “the sound of the birth of rock and roll.” The US Library of Congress National Recording Registry added Little Richard’s original version to its registry in 2010, explaining that its “unique vocalizing over the irresistible beat announced a new era in music.”

Written by: Caitlin Vaughn Carlos 

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What other songs do you think changed music? Comment below!

[gilbertspader]

My father said when he saw him live a guy yelled out “ Queer”. Little Richard didn’t miss a beat and said, you wish you could !!!! The crowd laughed for ten minutes.

[buddyalbert]

One of the greatest Rock N Roll singers ever.
Little Richard and Steven Tyler would have been awesome on a song together.

[NisGaarde]

The real king of rock'n'roll

[Herodotusjones]

One of my favorite little nuggets of rock info is that Little Richard was Bon Scott's biggest influence! Thank you for this!

[patkelly]

Oh Man. This is the Corner Stone. I could never add anything meaningful to this conversation but please let's take a breath for the sheer mad bravery of Little Richard. X

[TRAjim]

In his Rolling Stone interview, John Lennon said Tutti-frutti was the best rock-n-roll record ever made.

[CrushingAxes]

The best Piano arrangements, great voice and awesome energy.

[Robil]

This song was my rock n' roll awakening.

[c.e.anderson]

I started 1st grade in 1965.
My aunt lived with us( for years) and she took me to school. I can remember her getting ready to go to work and she would stack the 45 s on the spindle of her stereo of the day.
Tutti Fruttu
Wooly Bully
When a Man Lives a Wonan
Over and over . There were a few others I don't remember but those three take me back 60 years.
I will never forget.
She is still alive and I need to go see her.

[Optomisma]

defo a defining artist of my youth at 6 years old.im 64 now but this is still a powerful number.

[spencergroup]

I had the privilege of meeting Little Richard in the mid-nineties when I checked him into his suite at a hotel I was working at. Star-struck and nervous, my heart raced as I tried to make his check-in experience pleasant. Later that evening he called down to the front desk to address a verbal argument between two of our bellmen he had witnessed earlier that day. As a front desk manager I took the call and proceeded to listen to him "preach" about the need for peace and forgiveness. It was truly a surreal experience, but one I have fond memories of. RIP Little Richard.

[ThinkTwice]

When I hear Little Richard I hear the energy, handclapping, rhymed repetition and passion of the Southern gospel church I grew up in

[igornogueira]

Man, you and Rick Beato are doing a service to the Human kind! much love from Brazil

[kellendustries]

I had the honor of working with Little Richard when we had him record “Keep a Knockin” for the movie “why do fools fall in love” at Signet in Hollywood - it was a thrill of a lifetime. Once he had the band sorted and did a take, I asked him if he wanted to do another - he laughed “Why?! That’s how I’ve been playing it since 1955 when I invented Rock n Roll” he would yell out things during the mix when he didn’t like something “My grandmother always said you can’t mix butter beans and corn!” or “the kids Gotta hear the snare drum if they’re going to dance!” he told amazing stories that began with “me, John Coltrane and Ella Fitzgerald were drinking at this bar in Chicago…” he came and went in a long stretched white limousine with an entourage of people aged probably 5 to 80 - it was legendary! RIP!!!

[ZigbertD]

I can’t possibly imagine what people in the mid 1950s must have thought the first time they heard this music. Nearly seventy years later, and still almost nothing can touch it in terms of pure unhinged energy.

[ShiningHourPop]

A wop bop a loo bop a lop bom bom! Another great episode!

[chrisvsevil]

Such an important artist! Music, and performing might not look and sound the same if it wasn’t for Little Richard.

[HitTheRoadMusicStudio]

The sound of the birth of Rock n Roll - Description couldn't be more accurate!!! 🤘Little Richard is such an inspiration and his voice was INSANELY amazing!!! Thanks for this great Episode Warren, a wonderful tribute to the King of Rock n Roll

[Lisse]

Love the story about Little Richard, who claimed that Sister Rosetta Tharpe gave him his first paying gig. 🔥🎸 Maybe it’s time for a video on Sister Rosetta‼️And as always, thanks for the video, Warren.