Artist: Valiants
Author: John Marascalco/Bumps Blackwell
Label: Keen
Year: 1957

First version released. When Bumps Blackwell left Specialty Records to manage Sam Cooke solo, Keen was the label they landed (see: You Send Me). Bumps' biggest star Little Richard stayed with Specialty, where this particular song wasn't yet released. So Bumps rush-released it on his own band, prompting an immediate cover by Little Richard on Specialty, blowing The Valiants away. On Ace cd Creole Kings of Rock 'n Roll Vol. 2 there's a demo version by Bumps personally, predating both the Valiants' version and Little Richard's. Don't rely on the official composers' names, Good Golly was written by Little Richard. He made the thing up while dishwashing in the kitchen of the Macon, GA Greyhound Station, exactly the same spot where in 1996 the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame building was erected. Long Tall Sally was also conceived at that sink.

The box set with Little Richard's Specialty sessions holds an unreleased fast version, cut shortly after Blackwell's demo. The Good Golly Miss Molly The Clovers cut in December '54 was only lyrically inspiring.