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John S. Marascalco (March 27, 1931[1] – July 5, 2020[2]) was an American songwriter most noted for the songs he wrote for Little Richard.[1] He was born in Grenada, Mississippi and died in Los Angeles, California.

Career

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Marascalco co-wrote several of the most seminal songs in 1950s rock and roll. Together with Robert Blackwell, he wrote the songs "Good Golly Miss Molly", "Ready Teddy", and "Rip It Up" made famous by Little Richard. Also for Little Richard, Marascalco co-wrote "Heeby Jeebies", "She's Got It", and "Groovy Little Suzy". He co-wrote the song "Goodnight My Love" with George Motola made famous by Jesse Belvin and Paul Anka. Marascalco also collaborated with Harry Nilsson and co-wrote "Be My Guest" with Tommy Boyce.[1]

Marascalco co-wrote "Send Me Some Lovin'" with Leo Price, which was recorded by Little Richard, the Crickets for their 1957 debut album The "Chirping" Crickets, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, and John Lennon. He also penned "Wouldn't You Know", which was recorded by Billy Lee Riley.

"Rip It Up" has been recorded by Bill Haley and His Comets, Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent, John Lennon, Wanda Jackson, Buddy Holly, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Beatles, Scotty Moore, Cliff Richard, The Million Dollar Quartet, Ral Donner, Shaun Cassidy, Billy "Crash" Craddock, and Los Lobos.[3][4]

He wrote the lyrics to the 1956 Lloyd Price song "Rock 'n' Roll Dance" which was released as a 45 single on Specialty Records.[5]

In 1961, Gene Vincent recorded his song "If You Want My Lovin'". Harry Nilsson recorded Marascalco's "Groovy Little Suzy" in 1964 under the pseudonym "Bo-Pete", which was released as a 45 single on Try Records.[6]

Harry Nilsson songs

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Marascalco and Scott Turner collaborated on songs for Harry Nilsson, such as "I Just Ain't Right" and "Building Me Up," both of which appear on the albums Nilsson '62: The Debut Sessions and Early Tymes. Marascalco and Nilsson also wrote songs together, including "Baby Baby" and "Born in Grenada".

References

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John Marascalco

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John Marascalco is an American songwriter known for his significant contributions to early rock and roll, particularly through his collaborations with Little Richard and producer Robert "Bumps" Blackwell on iconic hits such as "Rip It Up," "Ready Teddy," and "Good Golly Miss Molly." [1] [2] Born John S. Marascalco on March 27, 1931, in Grenada, Mississippi, he began writing songs in 1955 and quickly found success by pitching material to Specialty Records in Los Angeles, where his early compositions were recorded by Little Richard and became rock and roll standards. [1] These works, often co-written with Blackwell, helped define the energetic sound of mid-1950s rock and roll and were later covered by artists including Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Bill Haley. [2] Marascalco's additional notable compositions include "She's Got It," "Heeby-Jeebies," "Send Me Some Lovin'," and collaborations such as "Be My Guest" with Fats Domino. [1] Beyond songwriting, he established his own publishing company, Robin Hood Music, in 1957 to manage his copyrights, and he founded several independent record labels in California while also working as a producer and collaborator with figures like Harry Nilsson and Scotty Turner during the 1960s and beyond. [1] [3] His songs have endured through recordings by diverse acts ranging from Creedence Clearwater Revival to the Stray Cats. [2] Marascalco died on July 5, 2020, in Los Angeles, California. [3]

Early life

Birth and family background

John S. Marascalco was born on March 27, 1931, in Grenada, Mississippi. [2] He was the youngest of nine children. [1] His father, Lewis Paul Marascalco, owned a shoe store, a grocery store, and a clothing store in the town. [1] [4] Marascalco grew up in Grenada, Mississippi, where his family was established in local retail businesses. [1]

Education and early work in Mississippi

After pursuing higher education in Mississippi, John Marascalco dropped out of three different colleges over the course of three years.[1] He then took a job as a copywriter at WNAG, the local radio station in his hometown of Grenada, Mississippi.[1] This early career role in radio advertising and copy marked his primary professional experience in the state during that time.[1] No formal music training or involvement in songwriting is documented from this period of his life.[1]

Move to songwriting

First songs and encounter with Elvis Presley

Marascalco began writing songs recreationally in 1955 while still residing in Mississippi.[1] His first composition was "Rip It Up," which he completed that year.[1] In April 1955, after attending a performance by Elvis Presley, Marascalco drove 35 miles to Charleston, Mississippi, to offer "Rip It Up" to the singer.[1] Presley liked the song and instructed Marascalco to present it to Sam Phillips in Memphis.[1] When Marascalco played the song for Phillips, it was rejected as "too country."[1] Marascalco found this assessment puzzling, given his personal dislike for country music and his avoidance of that style in his writing.[1] "Rip It Up" was later recorded by Elvis Presley after his move from Sun Records to RCA.[1]

Relocation to Los Angeles and Specialty Records

John Marascalco was deeply impressed by Little Richard's hit "Long Tall Sally" and resolved to write material for him, resulting in the composition of "Ready Teddy," the second song he ever wrote.[1] Never having left Mississippi before, he drove to Los Angeles with a Navy friend stationed in California to pitch his songs directly to Specialty Records.[1] The pair checked into a motel for a week while locating the label's office.[1] At Specialty, Marascalco told the receptionist about his long journey and asked to see Little Richard's producer, Robert "Bumps" Blackwell, who was open to new material suitable for the artist.[1] Lacking a demo recording, Marascalco sang "Ready Teddy" a cappella for Blackwell, who responded enthusiastically and asked if he had anything else; Marascalco then performed "Rip It Up" on the spot.[1] Blackwell suggested revisions to both songs to better suit Little Richard's style.[1] A few days later, Blackwell decided to release the tracks as a double-sided single, declaring they would be a smash.[1] "Rip It Up" backed with "Ready Teddy" became Little Richard's third Specialty Records single in June 1956.[1] "Rip It Up" reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart and number 17 on the pop chart, while "Ready Teddy" peaked at number eight on the R&B chart and number 44 on the pop chart.[1])

Rock and roll songwriting peak

Partnership with Bumps Blackwell

John Marascalco established a key songwriting partnership with producer Robert "Bumps" Blackwell shortly after arriving at Specialty Records in Los Angeles. [5] Blackwell, who oversaw Little Richard's recording sessions, showed interest in new material suitable for the artist, leading Marascalco to pitch songs directly to him. [1] In one instance, lacking a demo recording, Marascalco sang a composition a cappella for Blackwell, who responded positively and initiated their collaborative work. [1] The duo co-wrote multiple songs specifically intended for Little Richard, combining Marascalco's melodic and lyrical ideas with Blackwell's production expertise. [5] As producer and arranger, Blackwell refined and shaped the material in the studio, contributing significantly to the recordings' dynamic energy and structure that defined Little Richard's early rock and roll sound at Specialty. [6] This partnership proved instrumental in shaping the label's rock and roll output during that era. [7] Within their collaboration, Marascalco also rewrote or completed songs that originated with other writers, such as "Send Me Some Lovin'" with Leo Price, which Blackwell produced for Little Richard. Their joint efforts helped create a distinctive catalog of material that propelled Little Richard's success and influenced the developing rock and roll genre. [5]

Major songs for Little Richard

John Marascalco co-wrote several of Little Richard's most iconic rock and roll songs during the 1950s, frequently in partnership with producer Robert "Bumps" Blackwell at Specialty Records.[8] These compositions captured Little Richard's high-energy style and contributed significantly to the early development of the genre.[8] Among the earliest were "Rip It Up" and "Ready Teddy," both co-written with Blackwell and originally released by Little Richard on May 9, 1956.[8] "Heeby-Jeebies," co-written with Maybelle Jackson, followed with Little Richard's release on July 30, 1956.[8] "She's Got It," co-written with Little Richard himself and featuring lyrics adapted for his performance in the 1956 film The Girl Can't Help It, was released on September 6, 1956.[8] "Good Golly, Miss Molly," another Blackwell collaboration, was recorded by Little Richard on October 15, 1956, and released in January 1958, later becoming one of his signature anthems.[8] Marascalco also co-wrote "Send Me Some Lovin'" with Leo Price, which Little Richard first recorded and released in 1957.[9] Additionally, "Groovy Little Suzy," solely written by Marascalco, was originally released by Bo-Pete in 1964 before Little Richard recorded his version.[8]

Compositions for other artists

Marascalco's prolific songwriting in the 1950s and early 1960s extended beyond his primary partnership with Little Richard at Specialty Records to include compositions for a range of other rock and roll and rhythm and blues performers. [10] These works often reflected the energetic style of the era and contributed to the catalogs of several notable artists. [8] Among his early contributions was the lyrics for "Rock 'n' Roll Dance," recorded by Lloyd Price and released as a Specialty single in 1956. [11] He co-wrote "(Every Time I Hear) That Mellow Saxophone," which Roy Montrell recorded in 1956. [8] One of his most lasting successes outside the Little Richard repertoire was "Goodnight My Love," co-written with George Motola, first recorded by Jesse Belvin in 1956 and later becoming a pop standard through Paul Anka's version. [12] Marascalco continued this vein of collaboration with "Be My Guest," co-written with Tommy Boyce and recorded by Fats Domino in 1959. [10] Additional compositions from this period include "Wouldn't You Know," recorded by Billy Lee Riley, and "If You Want My Lovin'," recorded by Gene Vincent in 1961. [8] These songs showcase Marascalco's versatility in crafting material suited to diverse artists while remaining rooted in the rock and roll sound of the time. [10]

Later career and business ventures

Publishing company and record labels

John Marascalco formed his own music publishing company, Robin Hood Music, in the autumn of 1957 to retain control over his copyrights.[1] This publishing entity, under which he operated as d/b/a Robin Hood Music, enabled him to manage rights to his compositions independently.[13] Soon after establishing Robin Hood Music, he launched his first independent record label, the short-lived Cee-Jam Records, followed later by several others including Bourbon Street, JC, Lola, Tang, T-Bird, Princess, Ruby-Doo, and Sabrina.[1] These short-lived labels represented Marascalco's expansion into record production and distribution amid his music industry activities. As the owner of some of the most successful copyrights in the rock and roll field through Robin Hood Music, he became a wealthy man.[1]

Collaborations with Harry Nilsson and others

In the 1960s, John Marascalco formed songwriting partnerships with several collaborators, including Tommy Boyce, Scotty Turner, and Harry Nilsson beginning in 1964. [1] Nilsson credited Marascalco with early support, recalling that he "was the first guy to loan me 300 bucks, and he also took me into the fold to write songs with him." [4] Marascalco and Nilsson co-wrote songs including "Baby Baby" and "Born in Grenada." Marascalco also collaborated with Scotty Turner on tracks for Nilsson such as "I Just Ain't Right" and "Building Me Up," which appeared on Nilsson's early recordings later compiled as Early Tymes. [14] In 1964, Nilsson recorded Marascalco's composition "Groovy Little Suzy" under the pseudonym Bo-Pete as a single on Try Records. [15] Marascalco's earlier success co-writing rock and roll hits provided a foundation for these later creative partnerships. [4]

Music in film and television

Soundtrack licensing and composer credits

John Marascalco's extensive catalog of rock and roll compositions, primarily from his 1950s collaborations, has been widely licensed for use in films, television series, documentaries, and other media, resulting in a substantial number of soundtrack-related credits. [16] [17] He is credited in the soundtrack department for 114 titles on IMDb, with the vast majority of these stemming from the placement of his pre-existing songs rather than original scoring or new works composed specifically for the projects. [17] The songs most frequently licensed and credited include "Good Golly, Miss Molly," "Rip It Up," "Ready Teddy," "Send Me Some Lovin'," and "Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams)," which appear repeatedly across decades in various productions ranging from feature films to television episodes and music specials. [17] Marascalco also received a direct composer credit for the 1991 music video Little Richard: Good Golly Miss Molly. [17] In addition, he has a music department credit for the 2005 documentary Make It Funky! as the composer of the song "Rip It Up." [17] These credits reflect the enduring commercial viability and cultural reuse of his early songwriting output in audiovisual media. [16]

Notable appearances in films and media

Marascalco's songs, particularly those co-written for Little Richard such as "Good Golly, Miss Molly" and "Rip It Up," have enjoyed enduring use in films, often evoking the energy of early rock and roll. "Good Golly, Miss Molly" appeared in The Right Stuff (1983), performed by Little Richard. [18] The same song featured on the soundtrack of Mask (1985), performed by Little Richard. [19] "Rip It Up" was prominently included in La Bamba (1987) during a scene depicting Ritchie Valens' audition, performed as a cover by Los Lobos. [20] "Rip It Up" also soundtracked action sequences in The Expendables 2 (2012). [21] His compositions have appeared in documentaries focused on music history and Little Richard's legacy. "Rip It Up" was featured in Make It Funky! (2005). [22] Both "Good Golly, Miss Molly" and "Rip It Up" were included in Little Richard: I Am Everything (2023). [16] Marascalco's songs have been licensed for television programs and variety shows. Tracks appeared in the HBO series Vinyl (2016) and episodes of Call the Midwife (2014). "Good Golly, Miss Molly" was used in multiple Dancing with the Stars episodes from 2008 to 2014 and featured on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2017-2018). More recent appearances include songs in the documentary Travelin' Band: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall (2022) and the upcoming film The Monkey (2025). [16] "Rip It Up" and "Good Golly, Miss Molly" remain among his most reused tracks across media. [23]

Personal life and death

Family and later years

John Marascalco was born in Grenada, Mississippi, as the youngest of nine children to a father who owned a shoe store, a grocery store, and a clothing store. [1] Publicly available information about his adult family life, including any marriage or children, remains limited and unverified in primary sources. In his later years, Marascalco resided in Los Angeles, California. [2] As the owner of copyrights to some of the most successful songs in rock and roll, he became a wealthy man through royalties and publishing rights. [1] He maintained a low-profile involvement in music, continuing to write and produce well into the 1980s. [1]

Death in 2020

John Marascalco died on July 5, 2020, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 89.[2][3] He had been a longtime resident of Los Angeles.[2] He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles County, California. [2] No further details about the circumstances of his death were publicly reported.

Legacy

Influence on early rock and roll

John Marascalco emerged as a key behind-the-scenes songwriter who helped shape the sound and energy of 1950s rock and roll through his prolific collaborations with Little Richard at Specialty Records. Co-writing with producer Robert "Bumps" Blackwell, he penned several of Little Richard's most explosive hits, including "Rip It Up" (1956), "Ready Teddy" (1956), and "Good Golly, Miss Molly" (recorded 1956, released 1958), which captured the raw, frenetic spirit of early rock and roll with their driving rhythms, boisterous vocals, and shout-along choruses. ) These songs served as primary vehicles for Little Richard's groundbreaking performances and rapidly became standards in the genre, widely adopted and reinterpreted by other pioneering rock and roll artists. "Rip It Up" was quickly covered by Bill Haley and His Comets and Elvis Presley in 1956, while "Ready Teddy" gained massive exposure through Elvis Presley's performance on The Ed Sullivan Show in September 1956, reaching tens of millions of viewers and marking a landmark moment in rock's mainstream breakthrough. ) "Good Golly, Miss Molly" proved particularly enduring, establishing itself as a rock and roll classic with its jump blues roots and infectious energy, later ranked No. 92 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Marascalco's compositions were frequently covered by influential figures including Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, and later by The Beatles and John Lennon, demonstrating how his work permeated and helped define the foundational repertoire of early rock and roll.

Enduring covers and recognition

Marascalco's songs from the 1950s have endured as rock and roll standards, evidenced by their extensive covers by prominent artists across decades.[24] "Rip It Up," co-written with Robert Blackwell and originally recorded by Little Richard in 1956, has been covered in over 140 versions, reflecting its foundational role in the genre.[25] Notable interpretations include Bill Haley and His Comets in 1956, Elvis Presley in 1956, The Everly Brothers in 1957, Chuck Berry in 1961, Gene Vincent in 1963, Wanda Jackson in 1964, Buddy Holly in 1964 (released posthumously), John Lennon in 1975, Los Lobos in 2000, and Cliff Richard in multiple recordings.[25] The Beatles also performed it in a medley during their 1969 sessions.[25] "Send Me Some Lovin'," co-written with Leo Price and first released by Little Richard in 1957, has inspired 52 recorded versions, including those by The Crickets in 1957, Sam Cooke in 1962, Stevie Wonder in 1967, and John Lennon in 1975 (as part of a medley).[9] "Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams)," co-written with George Motola and initially released by Jesse Belvin in 1956, gained widespread popularity through Paul Anka's version and has become a perennial doo-wop and ballad standard with numerous covers.[26] These compositions continue to appear in rock music histories and compilations, affirming Marascalco's ongoing influence on the genre through their repeated reinterpretation by major performers.[24]
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