Rhythm and Blues

Charles Connor was a pioneer in the early beat of rock and roll. As a drummer in New Orleans in the early 1950s, he played with Professor Longhair and became the original drummer for Little Richard. In fact, it was Little Richard who asked Connor if he could produce a rhythm that sounded like a train – and he did. The train rhythm can be heard on many of Little Richard’s earliest recordings including “Good Golly Miss Molly.” His innovative playing has since been the inspiration for a long list of players and products such as special double bass drum pedals.

Bo Diddley was the pioneering rhythm and blues performer who taught the industry one main point in the early days of the electric guitar era. With his square cigar box guitar, patented by Gretsch, Bo demonstrated that, if it’s electronic, it could be any shape and size. Soon after he played the square guitar, companies such as Gibson patented other uniquely-shaped instruments such as the Flying V and Explorer. What people didn’t know were the hidden sides of Bo that made him what he was, 12 years of classical music lessons, violin building and a softer, more compassionate side. Bo’s NAMM Oral History interview was completed on June 23, 2005 (click on the image to view the video clip). Bo passed away on June 2, 2008.

Eddie Holland gained worldwide fame as a Motown Record’s songwriter and music publisher along with his brother Brian. Eddie was also a recording artist who performed the chart-topping hit “Jamie” in the early 1960s. During the same time he penned a string of hits for some of the biggest names in soul music, many of which have had crossover covers over the last 40 years. The brothers were interviewed together for the NAMM Oral History project and remarked on more than one occasion that they felt blessed to remain strong as brothers and as a songwriting teams after so many years.
 

Brian Holland and his brother Eddie are among the most popular songwriting teams in the history of popular music! For decades they have created the words and music to Motown’s classic sound that has forever changed the way people dance, fall in love and celebrate life. The key to their success as Brian put it during their interview together, “We balance each other and watch out for each other. We never stop being brothers and that has proven to be a blessing!” The Holland Brothers represented a younger voice when they joined the ranks of the music publishers in the 1960s and they helped set standards involving copyrights of multi-media and broadcast use.  

Ike Turner was well known for his role in the life of Tina Turner and as the guitarist and arranger of her early career. However, during our interview with him, Ike took the time to discuss the early part of his own music career beginning with the first rock and roll song “Rocket 88” for which Ike played the great piano boogie-jump style that defined the early days of rock. Ike produced a host of recordings for performers such as Bobby “Blue” Bland and Otis Rush and is credited for discovering harmonica legend James Cotton. His Oral History interview was completed in Carlsbad, CA on December 1, 2005. Mr. Ike Turner passed away on December 12, 2007. 

Wayne Jackson and his saxophone-playing friend, Andrew Love, formed the Memphis Horns, a group that played on countless recordings and on stage for over 40 years! Wayne, on trumpet, began playing professionally in the late 1950s and teamed with Andrew a few years later. Together they created a soulful sound that has been copied but never duplicated. They recorded with Otis Redding on many of the soul singer’s hits including his last “The Dock of the Bay”, and on “Soul Man” with Sam & Dave, as well as most of Al Green’s albums in the 1970s. They can be heard on Doobie Brother recordings as well as several hits in the 1980s including Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer.” 

Jerry Leiber was one half of Leiber and Stoller, one of the most influential and successful songwriting teams of the 1950s R&B movement. They played a critical role in the early days of Rock and Roll penning songs for rocks biggest and earliest stars such as Elvis Presley, the Drifters, the Coasters and Big Joe Turner. Their song for blues singer Big Mama Thornton entitled “Hound Dog” became a rock anthem when Elvis recorded it in 1956. Leiber and Stoller’s partnership and friendship spanned over 50 years, which was originally formed on their love of music.  

Mike Stoller always had musical ideas as a kid but never felt complete as a songwriter until he met Jerry Leiber. Together Leiber and Stoller redefined R&B and Rock & Roll with a long string of hit songs beginning in the early 1950s for performers such as Big Mama Thornton and Big Joe Turner. They also wrote several hits for Elvis Presley including “Jailhouse Rock” and “Treat Me Nice.” Their success as songwriters allowed them to also redefine some of the policies and practices within the music publishing industry including roles in licensed music and the distribution of printed music overseas. Their friendship and partnership has spanned over 50 years!