Keep A Knockin'

The Story of a Legendary Drummer

This book is loaded with untold stories about drummer Charles Connor and his road into Rock 'n' Roll history. Playing with legends like Roy “Professor Longhair” Byrd, Smiley Lewis, Guitar Slim, Jack Dupree then Shirley and Lee was just his launch pad before touring everywhere with Little Richard and his band The Upsetters; with whom he created his signature drum intro in “Keep A Knockin.”

He would go on even further to work with other music icons such as Lloyd Price, James Brown, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, the Original Coasters, “Big” Joe Turner, “Champion” Jack Dupree, Larry Williams, Don Covay, “Papa” George Lightfoot, Larry Birdsong, and more. 

Foreword by Chad Smith, Drummer for Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Charles is the real thing. He’s lived the life. He was such a badass that by the time he was 15 he had a regular gig with the legendary Professor Longhair. He was smooth enough to get a smooch from none other than Jayne Mansfield on the set of The Girl Can’t Help It. He played with Little Richard, Sam Cooke, and James Brown! And of course he recorded the burning hot two minute and change masterpiece “Keep A Knockin” with Richard, including its fiery train-inspired intro that the great John Bonham copped to jump start Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll.” 

This book has already been endorsed by Chad Smith - Drummer for Red Hot Chili Peppers, Marky Ramone - Drummer of The Ramones, Jonny Whiteside - Writer, LA Weekly, Kat Corbett - KROQ-FM 106.7 Radio DJ, Brian Beirne -- "Mr. Rock 'N' Roll" KRTH 101 Los Angeles Radio Legend, Bill Gardner - Host of KPFK's "Rhapsody in Black," Bill G. Ray - Writer for Drum Magazine, and Slim Jim Phantom - Drummer of The Stray Cats…to list a few! 

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. Media and press interest in Connor continues with interviews on the E! Channel special, Hollywood True Stories: The Little Richard Story. His most recent interview in LA Weekly featured Connor in their 2014 People issue as “One of the Fascinating Angelenos.” Other recent projects include Connor’s motivational book, “Don’t Give Up Your Dreams: You Can Be a Winner Too”! Connor will also be featured in a 2015 documentary miniseries for BBC TV exploring the genesis, explosion and legacy of Rock 'n' Roll in America. In addition, Connor will be joining other notable music legends, such as, Paul McCartney, B.B. King, Elton John, Brian Wilson, and more in an upcoming PBS documentary miniseries airing early 2016; the documentary will be an exploration of the extraordinary influence of recorded music in the modern world. Connor released his second EP in 2013, “Still Knockin’” which debuted an original song written and sung by him, titled “Beginning of Rock 'n' Roll,” including brand new recordings featuring the voice of Kate Flannery.