'Tutti Frutti': An accidental song that changed the world

Little Richard
Little Richard performs during the annual PBS "A Capitol Fourth" concert in 2011.
Kris Connor | Getty Images

Sixty years ago in New Orleans, a then-unknown singer was in a studio recording a series of ballads that did not impress producer Bumps Blackwell.

The recording group took a break for lunch and headed across the street to the Dew Drop Inn. The singer took over a piano in the club and played a song that had been a crowd favorite in his live shows.

Blackwell felt the song had potential, but the lyrics were far too risque to be played on the radio. He asked a songwriter who was hanging around to come up with new lyrics.

She did, and a few minutes later they recorded "Tutti Frutti" by Little Richard. It launched his career and is considered the prototype for the sound which became known as rock and roll.

Mojo magazine put it at the top of their list of Songs That Changed the World.

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