Little Richard has claimed to be "the architect of rock n' roll" and while I would disagree with that claim, it seems that history has been left to bear his boast.

With the exception of Elvis Presley, Little Richard blew the top off the 50s, opening the door for rock and roll with his explosive blend of gospel and New Orleans R&B, pounding on the piano and wailing with gleeful abandon with songs like "Tutti Frutti" which defined the dynamic rock n' roll sound.

On albums, he played foot-stomping rock music and while many R&B moved in the same direction, none could match the power of Little Richard. Onstage, Richard would deliver concerts dressed in mascara, lipstick and a charismatic pompadour that shook his audience.

Although he was a hit maker for a few years, Little Richard's influence upon the soul moment and the British Invasion is vast, and his early hits have stood the test of time and remain classics of the rock repertoire. While he influenced such acts as The Beatles and David Bowie, the performer who he influenced is Elton John because of his prowess on the piano and his flamboyancy

Posted by Andrew on Wednesday, 05/29/2013 @ 12:07pm

Little Richard has claimed to be "the architect of rock n' roll" and while I would disagree with that claim, it seems that history has been left to bear his boast.

With the exception of Elvis Presley, Little Richard blew the top off the 50s, opening the door for rock and roll with his explosive blend of gospel and New Orleans R&B, pounding on the piano and wailing with gleeful abandon with songs like "Tutti Frutti" which defined the dynamic rock n' roll sound.

On albums, he played foot-stomping rock music and while many R&B artists moved in the same direction, none could match the power of Little Richard. Onstage, Richard would deliver concerts dressed in mascara, lipstick and a charismatic pompadour that shook his audience.

Although he was a hit maker for a few years, Little Richard's influence upon the soul moment and the British Invasion is vast, and his early hits have stood the test of time and remain classics of the rock repertoire.

While he influenced such acts as The Beatles and David Bowie, the performer who Little Richard influenced is Elton John because of his prowess on the piano and his flamboyancy.

Posted by Andrew on Monday, 06/3/2013 @ 21:09pm

Little Richard has claimed to be "the architect of rock n' roll," and while I would disagree with that claim, it seems that history has been left to bear out his boast.

More than any other rock performer with the expectation of Elvis Presley, Little Richard blew the top off the 50s, helping to lay the foundation for rock n' roll with his explosive music and charismatic stage persona.

Merging the fire of gospel with New Orleans R&B, pounding on the piano and wailing with gleeful abandon on records, he made spine-tingling, foot-stomping rock and roll. His frantically charged, bullet-speed piano playing and raspy vocals on such classic songs like "Tutti Frutti," and "Long Tall Sally" define the dynamic rock and roll sound and was crucial in upping the energy from high powered R&B into a similar, yet different, form of rock n' roll.

While many other R&B artists have moved into a similar direction, none could match the sheer electricity of Richard's vocals. On stage, he would deliver wild, piano-hammering shows while clad in vests, mascara, lipstick, and a hairdo that shook with every thundering beat. James Brown has credited Richard's road band, The Upsetters as the first group to put funk in the rock and roll sound.

In an interview, Little Richard gave an explanation for the birth of rock and roll: "I would have to say boogie-woogie and rhythm and blues mixed together is rock n' roll." His frenzied approach to music was fueled by an outrageous personality.

From 1955 to 1957, Richard laid down a stunning succession of hits like "Rip It Up," "Lucille," and "Keep a Knockin'." The bubble popped in late 1957 when Little Richard chose to give up rock and roll and became a preacher. However, he was lured back by The British Invasion, regaining his popularity as a performer and a living embodiment of rock's roots in the 50s.

He has launched successful comebacks in every decade since and remains an active performer and icon even today at the age of 81.

Probably the thing that I like the most about Little Richard is his energy and charisma and although he was only a hit maker for a couple of years, his influence on the soul and British Invasion musicians of the 60s is vast, and his early hits remain classics of the rock repertoire.

Not only has Little Richard’s music had a strong influence on artists like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, but also on artists like David Bowie and Elton John. One could even say that Little Richard was the first glam rock artist.

Posted by Andrew on Saturday, 03/1/2014 @ 23:02pm

Lead Belly is an artist I have been meaning to get into but just haven't yet. I normally trust y'all on early rock so if you can tell me where to start with Lead Belly that would be great. To each there own of course he sounds like someone I'd enjoy. Lately i've just been listening to Roxy Music and Tindersticks who are totally different ha.

Posted by David on Tuesday, 08/6/2019 @ 12:21pm

Hey David!

Great to see someone being interested in Lead Belly (though this is the Little Richard thread). One of the big legends.

Lead Belly wrote - or at least initially recorded - some of the most recognizable folk and blues tunes, many of them famously covered by some of the greatest artists.

My favorite Lead Belly songs are:

We Shall Be Free (with Woody Guthrie and Cisco Houston)
In the Pines (covered as "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" by Nirvana)
On a Monday (covered as "I Got Stripes" by Johnny Cash)
Pick a Bale of Cotton
Take This Hammer
Rock Island Line (covered by Lonnie Donegan and others)
Cotton Fields (covered by CCR and others)
The Gallis Pole (covered as "Gallows Pole" by Led Zeppelin)
The Midnight Special (covered by CCR and others)
Goodnight Irene (covered by the Weavers and others)
Black Betty (covered by Ram Jam)
In New Orleans (covered as "House of the Rising Sun" by the Animals and others)
Fannin Street
Stewball (covered by Lonnie Donegan)

That's just the top of the his work. The Smithsonian Folkways collection is the ultimate source to discover his career. Additionally, I strongly recommend Woody Guthrie's album "Woody Guthrie Sings Folk Songs", joined by Lead Belly, Cisco Houston, Sonny Terry and Bess Hawes.

BTW, excellent post about The Everly Brothers.

Posted by MichaelEU on Tuesday, 08/6/2019 @ 15:38pm

Sleep well, Little Richard; you were another great from a generation that will truly never be again. Jerry Lee Lewis and Don Everly are the last living inductees from the Hall's first class.

Posted by The Dude on Saturday, 05/9/2020 @ 11:08am

I'm not sure that Rock N Roll in all its decades of outrageousness, has ever managed to better the sheer visceral fire of the phrase " Wop-bop-a-loo-mop alop-bom-bom".

Rest In Magnificence Little Richard!

Posted by Shrek on Saturday, 05/9/2020 @ 12:07pm

Little Richard, Founding Father of Rock Who Broke Musical Barriers, Dead at 87

Pianist-singer behind "Tutti Frutti," "Good Golly Miss Molly" and "Long Tall Sally" set the template that a generation of musicians would follow

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/little-richard-dead-48505/

Little Richard, Early Rock Architect and Hitmaker, Dead at 87

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/7332945/little-richard-dead-87

Little Richard, a flamboyant architect of rock 'n' roll, is dead at 87

https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/09/entertainment/little-richard-dead-obituary-trnd/index.html

Little Richard, piano-pounding music icon, dies at 87

The rock pioneer put "wop bop a loo bop" onto a generation's lips and inspired musicians from The Beatles to Prince.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/little-richard-piano-pounding-music-icon-dies-87-n566871

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 05/9/2020 @ 12:50pm

My most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Little Richard on his passing. His attitude and songs are just a part of his immense influence on Rock & Roll and he will definitely be missed. I really imagine that there will now also be a huge tribute to Little Richard at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in November.

Well, what do you think?

Posted by Enigmaticus on Saturday, 05/9/2020 @ 13:31pm

And then, there was one...remaining survivor of the inaugural class.

Rest in Peace Little Richard, 1932-2020.

Posted by Joe on Saturday, 05/9/2020 @ 13:40pm

Enigmaticus: I would imagine there would be an "In Memorium" to several artists, first to those not (yet) inducted, (including Marie Fredrickson, Peter Tork, Eddie Money and perhaps Kenny Rogers) and then the inductees, including Neil Peart, Ric Ocasek, Bill Withers and yes, Little Richard.

Posted by Joe on Saturday, 05/9/2020 @ 13:44pm

@ Joe

Don Everly is also on the class of 86 too who is also still alive.

Posted by The Dude on Saturday, 05/9/2020 @ 14:44pm

The Power by Elton John and Little Richard / Lyrics by Bernie Taupin / 1993

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHxPIwPtB30

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 05/9/2020 @ 15:53pm

Little Richard Reflects on the Dawn of Rock & Roll, Influencing the Beatles and Stones

"I don't think I ever got what I really deserved," the icon said in 2004

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/little-richard-legacy-influence-beatles-rolling-stones-996679/

'I Majored in Mouth': How Little Richard Invented the Rock Star

With his "A-wop bop-a-loo-bop, a-lop bam boom" battle cry, the late singer-pianist embodied an irrepressible rebel spirit that inspired everyone from John Lennon to Jimi Hendrix

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/little-richard-tribute-rob-sheffield-996849/

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 05/9/2020 @ 16:51pm

TheDude: I realized that a short time after my post. Thank you for setting me straight.

Posted by Joe on Tuesday, 05/12/2020 @ 13:42pm

The Righteous Rev Richard has left the the building on Earth to play the greatest venue in Rock and Roll Heaven. He lived a long life outliving the founding fathers including the King of Rock Elvis and the Father of Rock and Roll Chuck Berry and great competitor on the 88 Keys Fats Domino. Little Richard only regret that his arch rival Jerry Lee Lewis is still alive. Both Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis survived drugs, alcohol and condemnation from conservatives of Rock and Roll during the 1950's. Before James Brown, Michael Jackson, Prince, Elton John, and David Bowie, It was Little Richard who was the originator and deserves the title "Architect of Rock and Roll"

If Little Richard had any last words, it would probably be, "Shutup.....I'm going to Heaven!"

Posted by Erayman64 on Tuesday, 05/12/2020 @ 22:13pm

Thanks for getting back to me on Lead Belly. I am so late to reply but will hopefully be able to give him a spin soon.

Posted by David on Friday, 02/26/2021 @ 14:56pm