Rest In Peace Charles Connor,
Condolences to his family and friends.
RIP.
The man behind the beat of rock and roll
Little Richard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcJrExewkYA
Led Zeppelin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lncr2g9XJHU
Make it Sound Like a Train: An Oral History with Charles Connor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa8_YcPOZsI
Charles Connor, a New Orleanian, laid down some of rock and roll’s foundational beats as the drummer in Little Richard’s band. He went on to bring the funk behind James Brown. In 2017, he spoke to David Kunian about his career at the Ponderosa Stomp Music History Conference.
(1:00)
Music in Connor’s childhood in the French Quarter in the 1940s
(3:00)
Connor’s first gig, with Professor Longhair in 1950, and his influences
(6:45)
Forming the Upsetters to play behind Little Richard in 1953
(11:30)
Creating foundational beats of rock and roll on Little Richard’s records
(17:20)
Reflections on Little Richard, including the plane ride that sent him into retirement in 1957
(21:50)
Catching on with Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, and the Coasters
(24:50)
Playing with James Brown, using a second line beat to “put the funk into the rhythm”
(30:00)
Showing the great Earl Palmer how Little Richard wanted his drummer to sound