Carlo Little
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Carl O'Neil Little, better known as Carlo Little, (born 17 December 1938, Shepherd's Bush, West London, died of lung cancer on 6 August 2005 in Jarrow, Tyne and Wear) was an influential rock and roll drummer based on the London club scene in the 1960s. He was the first drummer with the Rolling Stones and taught Keith Moon how to play. Also with Cyril Davies All Stars and was the founding member of Screaming Lord Sutch's Savages.
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[edit] Early years
Carlo was brought up and lived in Wembley, Middlesex most of his life - his fellow townsmen included peers Keith Moon, Ginger Baker and Charlie Watts, all of whom strangely would find fame with the same instrument. He was included in the evacuation of civilians during World War II as a child and sent to relatives in Wales during The Blitz in London. As a teenager he discovered Ted Heath and then skiffle music, especially Chris Barber and Lonnie Donegan, the likes of which had not been ever seen before. The skiffle music inspired Carlo to join a band, Derek Addison's Rhythm Katz. By the late 1950s rock and roll had arrived in the UK, and Carlo became a huge fan of Chuck Berry and Little Richard, whose drummer Earl Palmer he was influenced by.
Unfortunately, Carlo found himself called up in 1958 to join the British National Service, where he served in Kenya and Malta. It was during his time in National Service that Carlo learned how to play his drums louder than the rest, making himself heard during parades. He was demobbed in 1960 and couldn't wait to return to the UK rock and roll scene.
