Little Richard (CD1, Tk6)
Tutti Frutti (1955)

This recording is famous for a number of reasons, the most important being that it is an example of the defining sound of early rock and roll. There is very little country left in this sound. It has a driving tempo with the signature back beat on the second and fourth beat of each measure. The accented second and fourth beats on the snare drum will remain in rock styles throughout its history. The harmonic progress remains unchanged from the standard twelve-bar blues progression. The persona of Little Richard is also the beginning of the eccentric rock star. His suggested cross-gender appearance will also remain a theme in rock.)