Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller wrote “Kansas City” 13 years before the Beatles’ release. Neither of them had ever been to Kansas City, but they were so inspired by the works of Kansas City blues legend Big Joe Turner they felt compelled to write the song.
It first became a hit in 1952 when Little Willie Littlefield released the song under the title, “K.C. Lovin’.” The song was recorded again by Wilbert Harrison and hit number one on the Billboard charts.
In 2004, the city of Kansas City made “Kansas City” its official song.
Based upon content from the book Missouri 365: This Day in Missouri History by John W. Brown, broadcaster and Missouri historian. Get your copy at Reedy Press.
Photo credit: Markus Spiske, Unsplash
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