Keep A Knockin

Charles "Keep A Knockin" Connor, original drummer for Little Richard, created the unique "Choo Choo Train" style of successive eighth notes with a loud back beat used by nearly all subsequent Rock 'n' Roll drummers. His drumsticks are on display at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.

In 1956, Little Richard's band appeared in popular feature films as The Girl Can't Help It with actress Jayne Mansfield; Don't Knock the Rock and Mr. Rock 'n' Roll. Then, as Rock 'n' Roll exploded on the music scene, the band recorded several hit songs like "Keep A Knockin'," featuring Connor's first four-bar drum intro on a Rock 'n' Roll record; "Ooh! My Soul," also featuring Connor's distinctive "Choo Choo Train" beat and "She's Got It," with a regular back beat.

When Little Richard "retired" for the ministry in 1957, legendary performer Sam Cooke took over The Upsetters and Connor again toured the United States. During breaks between bookings, Connor toured with other talented artists like James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Lloyd Price, the original Coasters, and "Big" Joe Turner. He recorded with "Champion" Jack Dupree, Larry Williams, Don Covay, "Papa" George Lightfoot, Christine Kitrell, Larry Birdsong, and Dee Clark.

In October 1994, Connor received a Certificate of Special Recognition from Congresswoman Maxine Waters. Connor joined the esteemed ranks of other 5-4 Ballroom honorees such as Billy Eckstine, Dinah Washington, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis. In 2010, Connor received an honor dear to his heart. He was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame; joining a list of other illustrious honorees including: Little Richard, Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Media & press interest in Connor continues with interviews in the BBC TV documentary "American Money," the E! Channel special "Hollywood True Stories: The Little Richard Story," and Charles "Dr. Rock" White's BBC syndicated radio show. His most recent interviews include a feature in LA Weekly's 2014 People issue as "One of the Fascinating Angelenos," and his feature in a 2015 documentary miniseries for BBC Music TV, "Rock N Roll America Episode 1: Sweet Little Sixteen," exploring the genesis, explosion and legacy of rock 'n' roll in America.

Other recent projects include Connor's motivational book, Don't Give Up Your Dreams: You Can Be a Winner Too! In addition, Connor released his second EP in 2013, Still Knockin' which debuted an original song written and sung by him, "Beginning of Rock n' Roll," including brand new recordings featuring the voice of Kate Flannery. Most recently, Connor was part of a notable ensemble of music legends, such as, Paul McCartney, B.B. King, Elton John, Brian Wilson, and more in Sir George Martin's PBS 8-part documentary series "Soundbreaking" in November 2016; the documentary explored the extraordinary influence of recorded music in the modern world. Connor is also featured in BBC Four's documentary "Sharon Osbourne Presents Rock 'n' Roll's Dodgiest Deals" in May 2017, and will be in an upcoming rock history documentary by Pulse Films. Connor published his first autobiography, "Keep A Knockin the Story of a Legendary Drummer," in August 2015 with Waldorf Publishing in the U.S.

(by Queenie Sonnefeld)

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