Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Rip It Up (Little Richard song)

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B-side
  
Ready Teddy

Format
  
7" single

Label
  
Specialty

Released
  
June 1956

Genre
  
Rock and roll

Writer(s)
  
Robert Blackwell/John Marascalco

"Rip It Up" is a song written by Robert Blackwell and John Marascalco. It was first released by Little Richard in June, 1956. Bill Haley and his Comets also released a recording of the song that year. The Little Richard version hit number one on the R&B Best Sellers chart for two weeks and peaked at number 17 on the pop chart. The Bill Haley and the Comets recording reached number twenty five on the Billboard pop singles chart and number four in the UK. Bill Haley and the Comets also performed their version of the song in the 1956 film Don't Knock the Rock, in which Little Richard also appeared.

Contents

Personnel

  • Little Richard – vocals, piano
  • Lee Allen – tenor sax
  • Alvin "Red" Tyler – baritone sax
  • Frank Fields – double bass
  • Earl Palmer – drums
  • Edgar Blanchard – guitar
  • Cover versions

    The song was covered by Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry. Buddy Holly, Gerry and the Pacemakers and Gene Vincent have also covered the song.

    The Everly Brothers recorded a cover version of this song in 1957 (#57 in Australia, it did not chart in US or UK).

    English instrumental group The Tornados covered this song on their 1964 album Away from it All.

    Wanda Jackson covered it on her 1964 album Two Sides Of Wanda (and again on her 2011 album The Party Ain't Over).

    During the Get Back sessions in 1969, The Beatles recorded the song as part of a medley with "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and "Blue Suede Shoes". This recording was released in 1996 on the album Anthology 3. It was covered in 1975 by John Lennon on his album Rock 'n' Roll, in a medley together with the song "Ready Teddy".

    Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen covered the song on their Hot Licks, Cold Steel & Truckers Favorites album in 1972.

    In 1978, Billy "Crash" Craddock released a cover on the Turning Up And Turning On.

    In 1987, Los Lobos covered the song as part of their movie soundtrack ((La Bamba))

    Little Richard also sang this song on the PBS special, Doo Wop 51.

    Alvin and the Chipmunks covered the song for "Film Flam," a 1985 episode of their TV series.

    In 2004, the band Hanson released a cover during their Underneath Acoustic Live.

    Cliff Richard featured a version on his 100th album in 2013, titled, The Fabulous Rock 'n' Roll Songbook.

    References

    Rip It Up (Little Richard song) Wikipedia