Little Richard was the firecracker who set it all off. Right there at rock'n'roll's Big Bang, this ungovernable force transcending race, gender and sexuality. Literally a screaming queen. I met him once and it was like touching the hand of God. We owe him everything. RIP (it up).
With no Little Richard you don't get Hendrix, Iggy, Bowie, Bolan, Prince and so many others, right up to Janelle. I honestly think he's that important. Just immeasurably influential. The actual greatest.
When I met Little Richard, I wanted to know what he thought about Prince. He rated him, but "I'd prefer him with less profanity." Then a wicked smile. "I'll tell you this: he sure likes ME!" He gave me a photo of himself and a book about Jesus. (He gave those things to everyone.)
Here's a review I wrote of a Little Richard show in 2005. One of those rare nights that I can't quite believe happened, couldn't quite believe it was happening at the time, and would dearly love to live through again just to convince myself it really did.
independent.co.uk/arts-entertain…
Look at that run of Little Richard singles from Oct 55-May 58, Tutti Frutti to Ooh My Soul. Imagine being 15 years old and hearing that batshit crazy sound crackling out of your radio, knowing you could buy it, own it, plug yourself into that electricity.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Ri…
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Sleeve is battered but the sounds are fresh as Hell.
#LittleRichard
One more thing on Little Richard.
This is "Miss Ann", side 2 track 2 of his debut album. Listen to the third verse, where he introduces a weird yodel into the vocal to spice it up. Just genius.
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