1576 - Wilbert Harrison Kansas City 1959

Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber had never set foot in Kansas City when they wrote a song in 1952 about the city's "crazy way of loving." Recorded that year by boogie-woogie pianist and blues singer Little Willie Littlefield, "Kansas City" eventually became one of rock 'n' roll's most popular standards. First released as "K.C. Loving," the song was largely forgotten until unknown R&B singer-pianist Wilbert Harrison recorded it in 1959. Harrison's version had a shuffle beat and twangy guitar solo, and quickly shot to No. 1 on the pop and R&B charts.