The Jodimars were formed in America in 1955 by past members of Bill Haley’s Comets. They had left Haley’s group following a salary dispute; their name came from the first names of founding members Joey Ambrose, Dick Bocelli and Marshall Lytle.

‘Clarabella’ was The Jodimars’ fifth US single, released in November 1956. It was not a chart success, but a copy evidently found its way into The Beatles’ hands.

In contrast to the slower, Elvis-style original, The Beatles’ version of ‘Clarabella’ was a souped-up rocker, complete with the first recorded outing for Paul McCartney’s Little Richard impersonation.

Although it was never recorded by the group for EMI, McCartney has suggested that the song was put forward as a possible cover version. Talking about the songs recorded for the BBC, he said:

I think we probably played them all to George [Martin] and said, ‘How about this one?’ ‘Clarabella’ was one.
Paul McCartney
The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions, Mark Lewisohn

Credit Beatles Bible

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