Charles Connor

For the Irish Unionist MP, see Charles Connor (MP). For people of a similar name, see Charles Connors (disambiguation).

Charles Connor
Born(1935-01-14)January 14, 1935
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedJuly 31, 2021(2021-07-31) (aged 86)
Glendale, California, U.S.
GenresRhythm and blues, rock and roll
OccupationDrummer
Years active1950–2021
Formerly ofLittle Richard, James Brown, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson
WebsiteOfficial website

Charles Connor (January 14, 1935 – July 31, 2021) was an American drummer, best known as a member of Little Richard's band.[1] Richard's shout of "a-wop bop-a loo-mop, a-lop bam-boom" at the beginning of "Tutti Frutti" is said to be a reference to Connor's drum rhythms.[2] James Brown described Little Richard and his band, with Connor as the drummer, as "the first to put funk into the rhythm."[3][4]

  1. ^ "On This Day in Louisiana Music History". Satchmo. Archived from the original on April 21, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  2. ^ Coleman, Rick (2006). Blue Monday : Fats Domino and the lost dawn of rock 'n' roll (1st Da Capo Press ed.). Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press. p. 9. ISBN 0306814919.
  3. ^ "Little Richard Biography | The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum". Rockhall.com. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  4. ^ Palmer 2011, p. 139.