10 Facts About Dorothy LaBostrie

Dorothy LaBostrie, later Dorothy LaBostrie Black, was an American songwriter, best known for co-writing Little Richard's 1955 hit "Tutti Frutti".

Dorothy LaBostrie was born in Rayland, Kentucky; some sources incorrectly claim a birth year of 1938 rather than 1928.

Dorothy LaBostrie was raised in Mobile, Alabama, and in 1951 moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, to seek out her father's Creole relatives.

Dorothy LaBostrie started working as a cook and waitress, wrote poems, and began frequenting the jazz and blues clubs on Rampart Street.

Dorothy LaBostrie was credited as co-writer of the song, with Little Richard, but later claimed that she had written it in its entirety.

Dorothy LaBostrie later worked as a songwriter for Joe Ruffino, owner of the local record labels Ric and Ron.

Dorothy LaBostrie wrote the song "I Won't Cry" in 1958, and persuaded Ruffino to allow her neighbor, Johnny Adams, to record it.

Dorothy LaBostrie's working relationship with Ruffino later deteriorated over royalty payments.

Dorothy LaBostrie signed a songwriting contract with Matassa's White Cliffs publishing company, reportedly writing hundreds of songs over the following years, but none had the commercial success of her earlier songs.

Dorothy LaBostrie Black died while visiting friends in Atlanta, Georgia on 4 November 2007, aged 79.