In 1959, the song was suddenly revived, with cover versions (as "Kansas City") recorded by Wilbert Harrison, Little Richard, Rocky Olson, Hank Ballard and The Midnighters, and Jack Parnell. Songwriter(s) SP 2136) Artist: Wilbert Harrison. General information [5] The first version, which was very close to the original song, was released much later, in November 1970, on compilation album Well Alright! The Beatles Also, the Grateful Dead played the song on October 28th 1985 the day after the Kansas City Royals won their first World Series. THE BEATLES - KANSAS CITY (in colour) The video here is THE BEATLES performing the Leiber and Stoller number KANSAS CITY on a British edition of US music show Shindig! Sings the Big Ones for Young Lovers, List of Hot 100 number-one singles of 1959 (U.S.), List of number-one R&B singles of 1959 (U.S.), Ask "Mr. Music" - October 24, 2011 - "The end of 78s, the beginning of the LP format", https://culture.fandom.com/wiki/Kansas_City_(Leiber_and_Stoller_song)?oldid=8290. Billboard magazine's pop song pick of the week for March 30, 1959 listed five different releases of "Kansas City": Harrison's and versions by Hank Ballard and The Midnighters (King 5195), Rocky Olson (Chess 1723), Rockin' Ronald & the Rebels (End 1043), and a reissue by Littlefield (Federal 12351). Genre Song information for Kansas City - Wilbert Harrison on AllMusic In 1955 Little Richard recorded two rather different versions of "Kansas City": on September, 13 (supervised by Bumps Blackwell), and on November, 29 (with five vocalists, supervised by Art Rupe).  4, 1964 (1964-12-04) Script error: No such module "Duration". Reviewing it in Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981), Robert Christgau wrote: "Let's Work Together was an anachronistic, even primitive r&b album based on the fluke hit of the same name, which makes this the follow-up. Formally, however, this song could hardly be called a medley, as by definition a medley is a piece composed from parts of existing pieces. Source. Song information First recorded by Little Willie Littlefield the same year, the song later became a … Later this particular version has been covered by The Beatles. In 2001, Harrison's "Kansas City" received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award[19] and it is included on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1929, his childhood was filled with country and gospel music. [11] It was also the final No. LEVEL 81. Rider and other songs. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1929, his childhood was filled with country and gospel music. This allowed Little Richard to claim co-authorship with respect to this version of the song. Released [2] Littlefield recorded the song in Los Angeles in 1952, during his first recording session for Federal Records, a King Records subsidiary. Through a connection to producer Ralph Bass, they wrote "Kansas City" specifically for West Coast blues/R&B artist Little Willie Littlefield. Wilbert Harrison is known for recording the definitive version of “Kansas City,” one of the great rock and roll songs of all time. "Kansas City" is a rhythm and blues song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1952. Songwriter(s) Bumps Blackwell Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Harrison had a Billboard #1 record in 1959 with the song "Kansas City". "Let's Work Together" was later a hit for Canned Heat, and, again as "Let's Stick Together", for Bryan Ferry. Wilbert Huntington Harrison (January 5, 1929 – October 26, 1994)[1] was an American rhythm and blues singer, pianist, guitarist and harmonica player.[2]. Artist “ Kansas City ” is a rhythm and blues song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1952. "Kansas City" is a rhythm and blues song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1952. (P)1964." Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller Recorded "Kansas City" was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, two nineteen-year-old rhythm and blues fans from Los Angeles, who had their first success writing Charles Brown's #7 R&B chart hit "Hard Times". [8], Kansas City/Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey Available with an Apple Music subscription. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. Rock and roll I've upscaled and colourised the original black and white film. MERCHANDISE. [5], Meanwhile, Harrison continued to perform and record but it would be another ten years before he again cracked the Billboard Top 40 when he released the self-penned "Let's Work Together (Part 1)" that went to #32 in early 1970 on the Billboard Hot 100. Producer(s) The song was written in 1952 and was one of the first credited collaborations by the team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Harrison's other songs include, "My Love" "Girls On Parade" "Clementine" "My Babe" "Stagger Lee" "C.C. [3][9] Harrison's song was issued with Leiber and Stoller's original name, "Kansas City", but changed the refrain to "They got some crazy little women there, and I'm gonna get me one"[4] and dropped one twelve-bar section. This recording is available to play on SingSnap 2.0! Little Richard A follow-up album was released that year, Anything You Want. Neither had been to Kansas City, but were inspired by Big Joe Turner records.[3]. [2] The song was written in 1952 and was one of the first credited collaborations by the team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Source. Side one consists entirely of roll and rock songs you'd swear you've heard before—'Your Three Letters,' eh, and what's this 'Let's Stick Together,' and why not bring out 'Kansas City' again? BONUS BEATS: “Kansas City” became a blues standard after Harrison’s version hit, and tons of artists, including the Beatles, covered it. ABOUT Soul-R&B singer. no. The song also was released in a 5 minute 19 second version on the Sue Records album SSLP-8801 Let's Work Together. Rider and other songs. The recordings range from 1954's 'Don't Drop It' (for Savoy label) to almost 20 of his Fury recordings (some unissued), then on to sides for Vest and Sue labels during the 60s. Producer(s) Kansas City MP3 Song by Wilbert Harrison from the album Roots: Recordings That Influenced The Beatles. [2] There was an initial disagreement between the two writers over the song's melody: Leiber (who wrote the lyrics) preferred a traditional blues song, while Stoller wanted a more distinctive vocal line; Stoller ultimately prevailed. Specialty (Cat. Label It wasn't until 1959 that the song, by now renamed "Kansas City," broke through to success. Due to redevelopment, the "12th Street and Vine" intersection mentioned in the song no longer exists, but a park roughly in the shape of a grand piano and with a path in the shape of a treble clef exists at the former location, marked by a commemorative plaque.[21][22][23]. The second version which had the same name, but which had been substantially re-worked by Little Richard (in particular, this version featured the new refrain starting with words "Hey, hey, hey, hey; Hey baby, hey child, hey now") was released in March 1959 on The Fabulous Little Richard and in April 1959 as single[6] (position 95 of US Charts, and position 26 of UK Singles Chart). View credits, reviews, tracks and shop for the 1959 Vinyl release of Kansas City on Discogs. "Kansas City" is a rhythm and blues song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1952. Although the song's arrangement varied little from Littlefield's, it "struck such a solid shuffle groove that it was unforgettable", with inspired rhythm and solo guitar work by Spruill. The episode featured four other Beatles recordings – ‘I’m A Loser’ , ‘Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby’ , ‘I Feel Fine’ , and ‘She’s A Woman’ – made for Top Gear on 17 November 1964 . [12], Harrison also recorded an answer song to the same tune as "Kansas City", called "Goodbye Kansas City", which was released on a single by Fury Records in 1960 (catalog number 1028). In 1995, it was included in Smokey Joe's Cafe, the musical revue about the songs of Leiber and Stoller. Harrison sang " Kansas City " for the Harlem based entrepreneur Bobby Robinson, and he recorded additional singles for the Fire and Fury record labels, which were owned and operated by Robinson. "Kansas City" is one of Leiber and Stoller's "most recorded tunes, with more than three hundred versions", with several appearing in the R&B and pop record charts. An alternate take was released on Anthology 1 and a live version, recorded in Hamburg in 1962, was released on Live! Piano on the track was played by George Martin. Download Kansas City song on Gaana.com and listen Roots: Recordings That Influenced The Beatles Kansas City song offline. The song was originally released by Harrison in 1962 with different lyrics as "Let's Stick Together" on Fury 1059 and Fury 1063.[6]. Kansas City by SonyaKay . Label First recorded by Little Willie Littlefield the same year, the song later became a chart-topping hit when it was recorded by Wilbert Harrison in 1959. An early Leiber and Stoller rock and roll hit was the Kansas City song. [2] It was also recorded by country rock band the Kentucky Headhunters for the soundtrack to the movie Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man. Wilbert had long since moved on and had even managed a mid-'61 Billboard near-miss with "Off to Work Again," a "Blue Monday"-ish blue collar anthem of sorts on the Neptune label. (mono version)Script error: No such module "Duration". The Beatles version is played following a Kansas City Royals victory in their home ballpark of Kauffman Stadium.[15]. 1 single in the US to be released on a 78 record. Ltd. In 2001, his recording of "Kansas City" was given a Grammy Hall of Fame Award, and has also been named as one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. General information Wilbert Harrison originally did Things I Used to Do, That's All Right Baby, Little Liza Jane, C.C. They had already played it 17 September while touring in Kansas City, a one-time addition to their usual setlist. performing the medley live in October 1964. Moreover, when Little Richard was recording "Kansas City", the song "Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey" did not yet exist. [1] First recorded by Little Willie Littlefield the same year, the song later became a #1 hit when it was recorded by Wilbert Harrison in 1959. to go there now. Download Kansas City song on Gaana.com and listen Rock 'n' Roll Drive In - 75 Original Recordings (Remastered) Kansas City song offline. R&B Singer. In the UK, this was a #26 hit for Little Richard also in 1959. Wilbert Harrison was born on January 5, 1929 in Charlotte, North Carolina; died on October 26, 1994 in Spencer, North Carolina. Wilbert Harrison covered Things I Used to Do, That's All Right Baby, Little Liza Jane, C.C. Artist They taught the song to Littlefield at Maxwell Davis' house, who arranged and provided the tenor sax for the song. New OrleansSeptember 13, 1955 Template:Infobox single "Kansas City" is a rhythm and blues song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1952. Recorded Disclosure: The following links will take you to various online merchants outside of allbutforgottenoldies.net that sell recordings and other merchandise for the performing artist featured on this page. Stream ad-free or purchase CD's and MP3s now on Amazon.com. October 18, 1964 First recorded by Little Willie Littlefield the same year, the song later became a chart-topping hit when it was recorded by Wilbert Harrison in 1959. Song: Kansas City. Released Script error: No such module "Duration". The 1970 hit version was released as a single on Sue Records (Sue 11) and was backed with "Let's Work Together (Part 2)". [9], "Kansas City - Wilbert Harrison", televised performance, Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll, "Fire/Fury/Enjoy/Everlast Album Discographies", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wilbert_Harrison&oldid=997146203, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 30 December 2020, at 05:38. In 1956 (May 9) Little Richard recorded his own song Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey, also known as "Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey! Length ... Wilbert Harrison Song list. Although Ballard's and Richard's versions both appeared in the lower reaches of the Billboard charts, Harrison's was a runaway hit, reaching number one in both the R&B and pop charts, where it remained for seven weeks,[10] and became one of the top selling records of 1959. Ten versions of the song are featured on the 1994 album, The Best of Kansas City. This song was released in January 1958 as B-side of Good Golly, Miss Molly (Specialty 624) and in July 1958 on Little Richard.[6]. The Beatles were also seen on the American television program Shindig! The song was performed by Wilbert Harrison . George Martin Wilbert Harrison Going To Kansas City Birth: Jan. 5, 1929 Death: Oct. 26, 1994 trans.gif R&B Singer. In 1959, after several years of performing Littlefield's "K. C. Lovin'", Wilbert Harrison decided to record the song. "Kansas City" is a rhythm and blues song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1952. So it happened that the public perceived the song "Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey" (released in 1958) as an earlier work than "Kansas City" (released in 1959) and as its predecessor (while in fact it was actually the other way around). "Kansas City" became one of Leiber and Stoller's "most recorded tunes, with more than three hundred versions,"[2] with several appearing in the R&B and pop record charts. Several different versions of Haley's "Kansas City" exist, some featuring vocals by Haley and others sung by his saxophone player. Very unprepossessing, very charming. Littlefield's record had some success in parts of the U.S., but it did not reach the national chart. Click here. Recording information by S o n y a K a y GOLD. Wilbert Harrison wrote Let's Stick Together and Gin and Coconut Milk. Best known songs include "Kansas City" (1959) and "Let's Work Together - Part 1" (1970). In 1964, The Beatles recorded Little Richard's "Kansas City" (next called "Kansas City/Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey"), a song they began performing in their early Hamburg days. Many artists covered the song, but Wilbert Harrison had the famous version in 1959. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs number-one singles, Song recordings produced by George Martin, Songs written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Live! [13][14] Their version, which uses somewhat different lyrics, appears on the albums Beatles for Sale (UK) and Beatles VI (US) and was the B-side of the October 1965 single "Boys" as part of Capitol Records' Star Line series. Harrison Going to Kansas City '' is a rhythm and blues song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller 1952. Dead played the song was written in 1952 and was awarded a gold disc for Little Richard to claim with! Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Harrison continued to perform and record, exciting his many fans 's Together... 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