Charles Connor Collection, circa 1950s-2007, bulk 1985-2007

Finding aid created by AAAMC staff

Creator: Connor, Charles
Title: Charles Connor Collection
Collection No.: SC 41
Dates: circa 1950s-2007, bulk 1985-2007
Quantity:

Quantity: 1 document case

Quantity: 0.42 linear feet

Quantity:

Quantity: 4 Audiocassettes

Quantity:

Quantity: 3 Videocassettes

Quantity: VHS

Quantity:

Quantity: 10 Digital Files

Quantity: PDF and DOC

Abstract: Materials documenting the period Charles Connor, known as "Little Richard's original drummer," spent on the road with Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Dee Clark, Larry Williams, Chuck Willis, and others. Included are more recent articles, interviews, and audio recordings of Connor and an unpublished book manuscript.
Language: Materials are in English.
Repository: Archives of African American Music and Culture
Smith Research Center, Rooms 180-181
2805 E. 10th St.
Bloomington, Indiana 47408-2601
Business Number: 812-855-8547
aaamc@indiana.edu
URL: https://aaamc.indiana.edu/

Biographical / Historical

Connor is widely known as Little Richard's original drummer. Born in New Orleans, he got his start as a drummer for Professor Longhair, then worked with Shirley & Leee, before joining Little Richard's road band, the Upsetters, in 1953. After Little Richard retired from show business in 1957, Connor went on to play with various groups, including Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, the Coasters, Roy Hamilton, and Clarence "Frogman" Henry. He currently resides in Los Angeles where he works as a motivational speaker, while continuing to perform.

Scope and Contents

The collection consists primarily of biographical materials along with photographs, videos, and audiocassettes documenting the career of Charles Connor, drummer and motivational speaker.

Arrangement

Arranged in two series:

  1. Series 1: Biographical materials and books
  2. Series 2: Audio and video materials

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

Use of time-based media materials (audio and video) may require production of listening or viewing copies.

Access to streaming audio, moving image, and full resolution digital image materials may currently be restricted to researchers who can authenticate with an IU account or who are physically present on campus. Remote streaming to individual researchers may be allowed with the completion of applicable forms.

For further information about access to online audiovisual materials, contact AAAMC staff at aaamc@indiana.edu.

Use Restrictions:

Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Indiana Public Records Act (5-14-3-2 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Indiana University assumes no responsibility.

Copyright is retained by the creators/authors of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. All requests for copying and publishing materials must be submitted in writing to the Archives of African American Music and Culture, and may require the written permission of the creator(s)/author(s) or donor(s).

Indexed Terms

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Charles Connor Collection, SC 41, Archives of African American Music and Culture, Indiana University, Bloomington.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Charles Connor and his manager Jack Crane in 2001-2003.

Processing Information

Processed by AAAMC staff.

Collection Inventory

Series:

1. Biographical materials and books
box 1
folder 1
Biographies , 1998-2003, undated

Quantity: 1 Folder

Quantity: 10 documents

box 1
Folder 1
"Charles Connor" (Biography and Curriculum Vitae)

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 7 leaves ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
Folder 1
Charles Connor: Biography

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
Folder 1
Biography of Charles Connor (press release)

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 6 pages ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
Folder 1
Biography of Charles Connor (press release) [version 2]

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 6 pages ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
Folder 1
"Don't Give Up Your Dreams" (You Can Be A Winner Too): Summary , 1998-06-29

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
Folder 1
Charles Connor: Biography , 1998-06-29

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 2 leaves ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
Folder 1
Charles Connor: A Biography

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 2 leaves ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
Folder 1
Biography links page from http://www.legendarydrummer.tv , 2003-04-22

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 2 pages ; 8.5 x 11 in.

Online Access: Originally printed from http://www.legendarydrummer.tv/Links.html

box 1
Folder 1
Sale items page from http://www.legendarydrummer.tv , 2003-04-22

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 3 pages ; 8.5 x 11 in.

Online Access: Originally printed from http://www.legendarydrummer.tv/Sale_Items.html

box 1
Folder 1
The Charles Connor Band [1-sheet]

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
folder 2
Discography , 1999-2003, undated

Quantity: 1 Folder

Quantity: 8 documents

box 1
Folder 2
Charles Connor: Pioneering Drummer

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 7 leaves ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
Folder 2
Discographical listings from cdbaby.com and allmusic.com , May-June 2003, undated

Quantity: 6 documents

Quantity: 13 leaves ; 8.5 x 11 in.

General: Individual printouts from website were stapled together at the time of acquisition.

box 1
Folder 2
Dee Clark discographical listings at artistdirect.com and allmusic.com , 2003-05-20-2003-05-26

Quantity: 2 documents

Quantity: 4 leaves ; 8.5 x 11 in.

General: Individual printouts from the websites were stapled together at the time of acquisition.

box 1
Folder 2
Don Covay bio and discography from allmusic.com , 2003-05-26

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 3 pages ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
Folder 2
Bio and discographical information for Christine Kittrell, Papa Lightfoot, and Rural Blues , 2003-05-20-2003-05-26

Quantity: 4 documents

Quantity: 4 leaves ; 8.5 x 11 in.

General: Individual printouts were stapled together at the time of acquisition.

box 1
Folder 2
Larry Williams bio and discographical info from allmusic.com , 2003-06-03

Quantity: 2 documents

Quantity: 3 leaves ; 8.5 x 11 in.

General: Individual printouts were stapled together at the time of acquisition.

box 1
Folder 2
Connor's Beat info page from www.legendarydrummer.tv [version 1] , 2003-04-22

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 2 pages ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
Folder 2
Connor's Beat info page from www.legendarydrummer.tv [version 2] , 2001-05-07

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
folder 3
Filmography , 2003

Quantity: 1 Folder

Quantity: 3 documents

box 1
Folder 3
Materials related to The Girl Can't Help It from imdb.com, The Austin Chronicle , and filmvault.com , 1999-04-12-2003-06-03

Quantity: 8 documents

Quantity: 7 leaves ; 8.5 x 11 in.

General: Individual printed documents were stapled together at the time of acquisition.

box 1
Folder 3
Materials related to Don't Knock The Rock from imdb.com , 2003-06-03

Quantity: 6 documents

Quantity: 10 leaves ; 8.5 x 11 in.

General: Individual printed documents were stapled together at the time of acquisition.

box 1
Folder 3
Materials related to Mister Rock and Roll from imdb.com , 2003-06-03

Quantity: 4 documents

Quantity: 6 leaves ; 8.5 x 11 in.

General: Individual documents were stapled together at the time of acquisition.

box 1
folder 4
Media Interviews (List) , 2001, undated

Quantity: 1 Folder

Quantity: 3 documents

box 1
Folder 4
Charles Connor: Pioneering Drummer: Media Interviews

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 4 leaves ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
Folder 4
Letter from Ninon de Vere De Rosa (Kids Talk Productions) to Charles Connor , 2001-05-23

Quantity: 1 letter

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
Folder 4
Letters and advertisement from Ray Courts (Hollywood Collectors Show, Inc.) to Jack Crane and Charles Connor , 2001-06-16-2001-11-24

Quantity: 2 letters

Quantity: 3 leaves ; 8.5 x 11 in.

General: The two letters and advertisement were stapled together at the time of acquisition.

box 1
folder 5
Interview with Steve Escobar , 2002-09

Quantity: 1 document

box 1
folder 6
"Charles Connor: The Godfather of Rock 'n' Roll Drummers," True Believer , Spring 2000

Quantity: 1 document

box 1
folder 7
"Introducing Charles Connor," interview edited by Lee Cotton, Rock & Blues Notes , 2001-02

Quantity: 1 document

box 1
folder 8
Miscellaneous Press Clippings , 1987-2001

Quantity: 1 Folder

Quantity: 6 documents

box 1
folder 8
Cover of Goldmine with Little Richard and Charles Connor feature , 1987-04-10

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
folder 8
"Charles Connor: That New Orleans Rhythm Man! (Part One)," by Seamus McGarvey, Now Dig This , Nos. 70/71 , Jan/Feb 1989

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
folder 8
"The Guy Can't Help It!," by Bruce Brady, Malibu Surfside News , 1991-11-14

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
folder 8
"Charles Connor Proves Rock'n Roll Is Here To Stay," Not Born Yesterday! , 2001-04

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 13 x 10.5 in.

box 1
folder 8
"Charles Connor Proves Rock'n Roll Is Here To Stay," Not Born Yesterday! [reduction] , 2001-04

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
folder 8
"Charles Connor Proves Rock'n Roll Is Here To Stay," Not Born Yesterday! [Version 2] , 2001-04

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
folder 8
"Drummer Charles Connor: The Cottage Views Interview," Cottage Views , Volume 9, Issue 2 , Summer 2001

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 11 x 11.25 in.

box 1
folder 8
"Four Your Eyes" website photo album page and business card , 2003-05-16

Quantity: 1 document

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
folder 9
Miscellaneous Research , 2003

Quantity: 1 document

box 1
Folder 9
Google Groups postings about Charles Connor , 2003-05-16

Quantity: 5 documents

Quantity: 6 leaves ; 8.5 x 11 in.

General: Individual documents were stapled together at the time of acquisition.

box 1
folder 10
Awards (Reproductions) , 1994-1996

Quantity: 1 Folder

Quantity: 2 documents

box 1
Folder 10
City of Los Angeles Certificate of Commendation [reproduction] , 1996-12-13

Quantity: 1 certificate

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 11 x 17 in.

box 1
Folder 10
Certificate of Special Recognition from US Congress, Maxine Waters, 35th District [reproduction] , 1994-10-28

Quantity: 1 certificate

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 11 x 17 in.

box 1
folder 11
Images (photocopies) , 1950-1998

Quantity: 1 Folder

Quantity: 11 photocopies

box 1
Folder 11
Clipping from Ebony magazine with photo of Little Richard and Charles Connor , 1999

Quantity: 1 photocopy

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
Folder 11
Photo collage from Apollo Theater , 1956

Quantity: 1 photocopy

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

Scope and Contents: Written caption: Drummer Charles Connor (upper left with singing legend Little Richard), and pictured lower left with Percy Welch, road manager, and Little Richard. (center and lower right - Little Richard). At the Apollo Theater, Harlem, New York, 1956.

box 1
Folder 11
Charles Connor with Ringo Starr , 1993-12-12

Quantity: 1 Photograph

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

Scope and Contents: Written caption: Two legendary drummers. Charles Connor, (left) pioneering original drummer for Little Richard, with former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr (right), at the Book Soup Bookstore, Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, Tuesday, December 12, 1993. The occassion was former Band drummer Levon Helm's book signing.

General: Image is a desktop printed reproduction.

Online Access: http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/images/VAD5465/VAD5465-001239

box 1
Folder 11
Charles Connor playing drums with Little Richard at the House of Blues , 1998

Quantity: 1 Photograph

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

Scope and Contents: Written caption: Charles Connor playing drums with Little Richard at the House of Blues, Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, 1998.

General: Image is a desktop printed reproduction.

Online Access: http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/images/VAD5465/VAD5465-001240

box 1
Folder 11
Two photos of Connor and others at film promotion events , 1998-2002

Quantity: 2 Photographs

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

Scope and Contents: Written captions:

Top photo. Singing legend Little Richard (right) with his pioneering original drummer, Charles Connor (left), at the film premiere of "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" (starring Halle Berry), Century City, California, Thursday, August 26, 1998.

Bottom photo. Legendary drummer Charles Connor (far left) with members of the legendary Motown Records "Funk Brothers" session musicians. Photo was taken inside the KRTH 101 FM radio station lobby, October 2002. These session players guested on "The Gary Bryan Morning Show," where they discussed and promoted the musical documentary film, "Standing in the Shadows of Motown." It had just been released in movie theaters across the United States, and told the untold story of the contributions of all the session musicians who played on the classic 1960's and 70's Motown Recordings. KRTH was located in Los Angeles, California.

General: Image are a desktop printed reproduction.s

Online Access: http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/images/VAD5465/VAD5465-001241

box 1
Folder 11
Little Richard and Charles Connor inside KRTH , 1997

Quantity: 1 Photograph

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

Scope and Contents: Written caption: Little Richard (left) with Charles Connor (right) inside KRTH 101 FM Studio, 1997. Richard and Charles were interviewed by legendary morning on-air personality Robert W. Morgan.

General: Image is a desktop printed reproduction.

Online Access: http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/images/VAD5465/VAD5465-001242

box 1
Folder 11
James Brown and Charles Connor outside KRTH , 1995

Quantity: 1 Photograph

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

Scope and Contents: Written caption: Charles Connor (right) and James Brown aka "The Godfather of Soul" (left), KRTH 101 FM Radio Station, Los Angeles, CA, autumn 1995.

General: Image is a desktop printed reproduction.

Online Access: http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/images/VAD5465/VAD5465-001243

box 1
Folder 11
Drum stick display at Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame , circa 1996

Quantity: 1 Photograph

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

Scope and Contents: Written caption: The autographed drum sticks of pioneering drummer Charles Connor (above third from left) on display at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland, Ohio, since 1996.

General: Image is a desktop printed reproduction.

Online Access: http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/images/VAD5465/VAD5465-001244

box 1
Folder 11
Little Richard and Charles Connor at Richard's birthday party , 1984-12-05

Quantity: 1 Photograph

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

Scope and Contents: Written caption: Singing Legend Little Richard (left) with his original pioneering drummer, Charles Connor (right) at Richard's birthday party celebration, La Louisianne Restaurant, Beverly Hills.

General: Image is a desktop printed reproduction.

Online Access: http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/images/VAD5465/VAD5465-001245

box 1
Folder 11
Two photos of Charles Connor with others at radio events , 1992-1995

Quantity: 2 Photographs

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

Scope and Contents: Written captions:

Top photo. Legendary Drummer Charles Connor (right in red suit) with singing legend Hank Ballard (center) and singer Billy Davis (left) at KRTH 101 FM radio station, Los Angeles, CA, June 1992.

Bottom Photo. Charles Connor (right) guesting on host Tom Hall's weekend radio show, KABC 790 AM, Sunday, October 27, 1995, 12-2PM. Tom Hall is pictured at left. KABC is located in Los Angeles, California.

General: Images are a desktop printed reproduction.

Online Access: http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/images/VAD5465/VAD5465-001246

box 1
Folder 11
Collage of clippings of headlines and images

Quantity: 1 photocopy

Quantity: 1 leaf ; 8.5 x 11 in.

box 1
folder 12
Keep A-Knockin' (Confessions of a Rock 'n' Roll Drummer), by C. Connor with Robert Leslie (unpublished typed book draft) , 1985
box 1
folder 13
Don't Give Up Your Dreams- You Can Be A Winner Too, by Charles Connor with J.T. Crane (unpublished typed book draft) , 2007
box 1
Charles Connor (publicity portrait) , undated

Quantity: 1 Photograph

Quantity: black & white ; 8 x 10 in.

Shelf Number: PA004598

Online Access: http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/images/VAD5465/VAD5465-001237

box 1
Charles Connor's Upsetters (publicity portrait) , 1985

Quantity: 1 Photograph

Quantity: black & white ; 8 x 10 in.

Shelf Number: PA004599

Online Access: http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/images/VAD5465/VAD5465-001238

Born digital images

Quantity: 10 Digital Files

Quantity: PDF and DOC

Immediate Source of Acquisition: Sent by Charles Connor's daughter, Queenie Connor, on 11 July 2009.

Photo collage from Apollo Theater , 1956

Quantity: 1 Digital File

Quantity: PDF

Existence and Location of Copies: Photocopy printout of the same collage can be found in Box 1, Folder 11 of the collection.

Charles Connor sitting at drumset

Quantity: 1 Digital File

Quantity: PDF

Online Access: http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/images/VAD5465/VAD5465-001247

Charles Connor standing in front of childhood home

Quantity: 1 Digital File

Quantity: PDF

Online Access: http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/images/VAD5465/VAD5465-001248

Drum stick display at Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame , circa 1996

Quantity: 1 Digital File

Quantity: PDF

Existence and Location of Copies: Photocopy printout of the same collage can be found in Box 1, Folder 11 of the collection.

Portrait of Charles Connor with family

Quantity: 1 Digital File

Quantity: PDF

Scope and Contents: Caption from Charles Connor: "It's been said behind every successful man is a great woman. Well, in my case, there are two. To the right is my beautiful wife, Zenaida, and to the left is my beautiful daughter, Queenie."

James Brown and Charles Connor outside KRTH , 1995

Quantity: 1 Digital File

Quantity: PDF

Existence and Location of Copies: Cropped version of photocopy printout of the same collage can be found in Box 1, Folder 11 of the collection.

Little Richard and Charles Connor at Hollywood Walk of Fame , 1990-06-21

Quantity: 1 Digital File

Quantity: PDF

Online Access: http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/images/VAD5465/VAD5465-001249

Charles Connor with Ringo Starr , 1993-12-12

Quantity: 1 Digital File

Quantity: PDF

Existence and Location of Copies: Photocopy printout of the same collage can be found in Box 1, Folder 11 of the collection.

"Mr. Rock and Roll" still image scanned from book

Quantity: 1 Digital File

Quantity: PDF

Online Access: http://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/images/VAD5465/VAD5465-001250

Series:

2. Audio and video materials
Charles Connor's Unedited BBC Radio Show with Dr. Rock , 2001-03-10

Quantity: 1 Audiocassette

Shelf Number: cass 921

Online Access: https://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/media/n99920n53p

Don't Give Up Your Dreams (You Can Be A Winner Too)

Quantity: 1 Audiocassette

Shelf Number: cass 922

Online Access: https://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/media/g54x51pj7f

Linda Coleman-Willis: The Motivational Power Hour, with Charles Connor (KYPA-AM) , 1996-06-06

Quantity: 1 Audiocassette

Shelf Number: cass 923

Online Access: https://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/media/247d76xz0d

Charles Connor & The Upsetters: The Beginning of Rock & Roll , 2005-06-11

Quantity: 1 Audiocassette

Shelf Number: cass 924

Online Access: https://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/media/w92435nh25

Voices of Tomorrow [?] , 2001-05-09

Quantity: 1 Videocassette

Quantity: VHS

General: Kids Talk; Nin[on] de Vere de Rosa, host; Charles Connor, guest (28:40) - Note: Kids Talk is a production company - actual show may have been Voices of Tomorrow.

Shelf Number: VC 480

Rock 'n' Roll Legend: Charles Connor- Career Highlights , 1998-08-27

Quantity: 1 Videocassette

Quantity: VHS

Shelf Number: VC 481

Online Access: https://purl.dlib.indiana.edu/iudl/media/158b496n9m

Music: Race & Racism; Charles Connor interviewed by Queenie Connor (Cal State Northridge) , 2003-05-05

Quantity: 1 Videocassette

Quantity: VHS

Shelf Number: VC 482