Charles "Keep-A-Knockin" Connor, original drummer for Little Richard, created the unique "Choo Choo Train" style of successive eighth notes with a loud backbeat used by nearly all subsequent Rock 'n' Roll drummers and, in fact, his drumsticks are on display at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland, Ohio.

The son of a chief chef Merchant Marine seaman and father from Santo-Domingo and a Louisiana-born mother, Connor reveals:

"I was born in New Orleans, in the heart of the French Quarter, the very hub of Cajun, Blues and down-island rhythms. My mother told me that whenever music was played, I kicked really hard in her womb. I was born to be a drummer! Probably 'cuz of that exotic Creole and Dominican blood coursing through my veins..."

As a toddler, Connor was drawn to marching parades and the "second-line funeral bands" playing Dixieland jazz through the streets of New Orleans and loved to hear his father, home on a three-month leave, sing Calypso songs around the house. Imitating the drums, Connor banged on pots and pans all-day and cried hard when his mother had to take them away to cook family meals.

Although his parents had two other sons and a daughter and could not afford expensive gifts, they saved enough money to buy Connor his first drum set when he was five. When his drumming became "a loud nuisance" to the neighbors, he practiced with his drumsticks four to five hours a day on a practice pad.

Inspired by such notables as Bob Alden, Art Blakey, Charles Otis, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich and Max Roach, Connor dreamed big and diligently spent all his spare time working towards his goal of becoming "a professional drummer." His hard work paid off at age 12 when he began playing drums for local parties and wedding receptions, but his "professional" career began at 15 when Roy "Professor Longhair" Byrd hired him as a last-minute replacement for the 1950 Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

With family blessings and his mother's sage advice, "never use your skin color as an excuse; never doubt yourself; if you believe in yourself, everybody else will, too," Connor went on to drum for Smiley Lewis, Guitar Slim, Jack Dupree then Shirley and Lee.

At 18, Connor joined flamboyant Little Richard's original road band, The Upsetters, his joy marred only by the deep racial intolerance the band had to endure. Connor says:

"[Black] musicians back then didn't have Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. or Jesse Jackson to motivate them. We had to find inspiration from our faith and within our hearts.

Little Richard was an ingenious promoter. To draw attention to his band and ensure they could perform on stage, he had to show bigots that the band wouldn't threaten their way of life. Little Richard promoted the band and avoided racial prejudice by insisting the musicians wear thick pancake makeup and act effeminate!"

Connor was 20 when Little Richard's band toured the United States in 1955. They played all the major theaters, including such prestigious venues as the Turner Arena and Howard Theater in Washington, D.C.; the Royal Theater in Baltimore, Maryland; the Apollo Theater in Harlem and the Paramount Theater with Alan Freed in Brooklyn.

Gaining momentum in 1956, Little Richard's band appeared in such popular feature films as "The Girl Can't Help It" with actress Jayne Mansfield; "Don't Knock the Rock" and "Mr. Rock 'n' Roll." Then, as Rock 'n' Roll exploded on the music scene, the band recorded several hit songs like "Keep-A-Knockin'," featuring Connor's first four-bar drum intro on a Rock 'n' Roll record; " Ooh! My Soul," also featuring Connor's distinctive "Choo Choo Train" beat; and "She's Got It," with a regular backbeat. Connor reminisces:

"The Civil Rights Act may have been passed in 1964, but Rock 'n' Roll music brought young people and the world together a decade earlier. We got respect and power; our popularity cut across racial lines."

When Little Richard "retired" for the ministry in 1957, legendary performer Sam Cooke took over The Upsetters and Connor again toured the United States. During breaks between bookings, Connor toured with other talented artists like Jackie Wilson, the original Coasters, and "Big" Joe Turner. He recorded with "Champion" Jack Dupree, Professor Longhair, and Dee Clark. His drumming can be heard on Clark's classic hit, "Hey Little Girl (In the High School Sweater)."

In October 1994, Connor received a Certificate of Special Recognition from Congresswomen Maxine Waters, "In grateful appreciation for outstanding contributions and efforts on behalf of our community and government as a musical pioneer in the early years of the 5-4 Ballroom in South Central Los Angeles." Accordingly, Connor joined the esteemed ranks of other 5-4 Ballroom honorees such as Billy Eckstine, Dinah Washington, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis.

Connor appeared with Little Richard at Los Angeles' House of Blues, Greek Theater and in 2002, along with Chuck Berry, played to a sold-out audience at the Universal Amphitheater. His influence and distinctive four-bar drum intro can still be heard on such songs as Led Zeppelin's "Rock 'n' Roll" from the "Led Zeppelin IV" album.

Media interest in Connor continues with television interviews and documentaries, radio shows and press coverage in "The Chicago Tribune," "Rock 'n Blues News," "Blue Suede News," "The Los Angeles Sentinel," "Now Dig This Magazine" and "Not Born Yesterday."

Multi-talented Connor is now an Active Musician, Songwriter, Entrepreneur, does Voice-overs, gives Private Drum lessons and makes Personal Appearances. He's also a Motivational Public Speaker with several issues particularly close to his heart, like sharing his experience and anecdotes on the African and down-island origins of Black popular music to stimulate public awareness and appreciation of Rock 'n' Roll and Rhythm and Blues.

Although interested in world affairs, the human condition and "deep philosophical stuff," Connor's primarily concerned for the youth of today who face an apparent bleak future. He believes it "imperative for adults to mentor youth, give them good values and hope for tomorrow especially to stem the tide of teen suicide.":

"I favor school literacy and after-school programs. I tell young people they don't need drugs, alcohol or cigarettes to live or perform. They just need to connect with God to "turn-on" their natural gifts, then live with honor and integrity. I also encourage people of color to exercise their hard-won civil rights. There's no excuse now. Instead of complaining what they don't like about government, they need to say what they do want by voting in every election! If I hadn't become a drummer, I would have been a preacher."

Well, Connor, you're Rockin' and Rollin' again; Keep on Shakin' and Keep-A-Knockin'

Other recent projects include Connor’s motivational book, Don’t Give Up Your Dreams: You Can Be a Winner Too! In addition, Connor released his second EP in 2013, Still Knockin’ which debuted an original song written and sung by him, “Beginning of Rock n’ Roll,” including brand new recordings featuring the voice of Kate Flannery. Most recently, Connor was part of a notable ensemble of music legends that included Paul McCartney, B.B. King, Elton John, Brian Wilson, and more in Sir George Martin's PBS 8-part documentary series "Soundbreaking" in November 2016; the documentary explored the extraordinary influence of recorded music in the modern world. Connor is also featured in BBC Four's documentary "Sharon Osbourne Presents Rock 'n' Roll's Dodgiest Deals" which aired in May 2017, and was also highlighted in Pulse Films' 10-part rock history series "Rock and Roll" in the episode titled "Love" that aired September 2017. Connor published his first autobiography, "Keep A Knockin the Story of a Legendary Drummer," in August 2015 with Waldorf Publishing in the U.S. He is currently working on his autobiographical documentary.