Words & Music by: Side A – Richard Penniman; Side B – Penniman, Leo Price
Musicians: Little Richard (vocals and piano), Side A - Charles Connor (drums), Nathaniel Douglas (guitar), Olsie Robinson (bass), Wilbert Smith, Clifford Burks and Grady Gaines (tenor saxes), Samuel Parker (baritone sax); Side B - Earl Palmer (drums), Roy Montrell (guitar), Frank Fields (bass), Lee Allen (tenor sax), Red Tyler (baritone sax)
Recording sessions: Side A - at a radio station in Washington, D.C., Jan. 16, 1957; Side B - Produced by Bumps Blackwell at Cosimo Studio, New Orleans, LA, Aug. 1, 1956
Highest chart positions: US #8, US R&B #2, UK #21
Though "Keep a Knockin'" was credited to Little Richard, it was largely based on a song of the late 20's.
In my opinion it's the drums that really make the title song rocking (no intention to depreciate Little Richard here). Charles Connor did something that became a classic and was later copied by Earl Palmer here (as requested by Eddie Cochran) and by Jon Bonham here ... and by many others as well.
I remember that when I was about six I recorded "Keep a Knockin'" from a Finnish radio broadcast onto a C-cassette. It was one of my early rock favorites together with CCR and T.Rex. I still have that tape somewhere. :)
List price: Very Good+ is $15, Near Mint is $30
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