WARNING: THIS BLOG WAS NOT CREATED FOR BEATLEMANIACS!
If you’re on the fence about the Beatles or if you just don’t like them,
this blog is for you. My goal is not to convert you; it’s to expose you
to the lesser-known Beatles songs we don’t hear day in and day out.
These great tunes will show you just how amazing the Beatles are.
Of course, if you are a Beatles fan, pull up a chair and enjoy the tunes!
Welcome back to Feb Fab Faux Four.
It’s time to shake things up again by featuring another song which the Beatles covered. We’re going back to the 50s; this song was a staple of the Beatles’ live set from the very earliest formative years until they stopped touring in 1966. In fact, it was the last song they played at their final concert at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park in August 1966.
Is that ringing any bells for you? Let’s get the phonograph cranked up; it’s time for some good old rock & roll.
From 1957, this is little Richard with “Long Tall Sally”
🪲
And here are the Beatles with their version of Little Richard’s “Long Tall Sally”; this time it’s Paul on lead vocals.
Damn! That’s how you do a cover!
When Paul and John first met, back in the summer of 1957, “Long Tall Sally” was among the songs Paul played for John, after which John invited him to join his band. As Paul told Playboy in 1984: “I knew the words to 25 rock and roll songs so I got in the band. “Long Tall Sally” and “Tutti-Frutti,” that’s what got me in. That was my audition.”
Well, kids, this is a tough one. For quality of sound, that banging piano and George’s incredible guitar playing, the Beatles win this one hands down. BUT let’s not forget something: without the likes of Little Richard, there just might not be a Paul McCartney and the Beatles.
Come join me tomorrow as we take it down a notch or two.
See you on the flip side. 😎
NAR©2024
PS – If any video won’t play for you, I’ve provided the name of the song and who did it so you can find it on YouTube. It’s a pain in the ass but it does happen from time to time. My apologies.
This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
It’s close but I’m giving it to the original ;-) The Beatles have nothing to be ashamed about, that’s for sure! It’s really close!
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I’m on the fence. One minute I think one way, the next the other. So, I’ll give this one a draw.
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I can’t blame you, D! I fingers hovered over the keyboard before I finally typed my comment.
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Great choices!
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For me, it’s a dead heat!
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They sure are close, Keith. As I said in my post, this is the way to make a cover!
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That Little Richard song was a big moment for The Beatles
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They found their niche thanks to Little Richard, Chuck Berry, etc.
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The white radio stations wouldn’t play Richard’s version of ‘Tutti-Frutti’ and this made Pat Boone’s cover Number One. Richard’s producer, Bumps Blackwell had him record the vocal for ‘Long Tall Sally’ in an exceptionally fast up tempo, an effort that was aimed squarely to disrupt pop singer Pat Boone. They thought that if they could get the lyrics going so fast that Boone wouldn’t be able to keep up with them, that this would make it very difficult for Boone to copy. Bumps had Richard work on the line “duck back down the alley” over and over until he was able to sing it very fast and ‘Long Tall Sally’ proved to be Little Richard’s biggest hit. Boone also recorded the song, and he took it to Number Eight.
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Terrific background story, Jim! I sort of forgot about Pat Boone’s cover, that’s how unimpressed I was with it! Pat Boone did ballads well but not this rock & roll stuff, IMO.
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Early radio considered his covers to be more suitable than Little Richards originals.
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I hate to be a contrarian, but my vote is unequivocally for Little Richard.
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No prob; that’s why there’s a comments box.
I almost, almost, gave this one to LR; gave him the credit instead which may be a higher honor after all.
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