Clarabella

Clarabella was written by Frank Pingatore and recorded originally by the Jodimars in 1956. This group was comprised of former members of Bill Haley's comets (Joey Ambrose, Dick Bocelli and Marshall Lytle), who had quit in a dispute over wages. The song was their fifth single. It did not make the charts. The Beatles discovered the song and placed it in their performance repertoire. Unlike the Jodimars, who sang the song in a slower, swing-like rhythm, the Beatles sped up the pace to a full-tilt rock and roll. Clarabella is the original example of Paul McCartney's imitation of Little Richard. The song was recorded on June 2, 1963 for the BBC presentation, Pop! Go the Beatles! It was never recorded for EMI, though Paul did propose it on one or two occasions. George Martin apparently felt that it was not prime hit material. The surviving recording has come to us on the Live at the BBC album (2001). Paul sings vocals and plays bass. John plays harmonica and rhythm guitar, George plays lead guitar, and Ringo is on drums.