Little Richard: Rock ‘n’ Roll Pioneer
It’s strange how some things happen. Here I was, relaxing at home and working on a new blog entry about two Little Richard albums I own and love, when the news came up in my feed that he had passed away. I was so sad and shocked to hear it, not because I was such a huge fan, but because it really is the end of an era.
Despite not being his biggest fan, I was nevertheless touched by his music, his inventiveness, his creativity, and his immense talent. I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say that without him, pop music would absolutely not exist as we know it today. There would be no rock, and there would be no R&B, soul, or rap as we know them. If you go right back to the beginning of rock’n’roll, it’s easy to see that his collaborations with and influence on other artists created the mosaic of music that came afterwards.
Did you know he played with the Beatles in Hamburg in 1962, before they were famous? Did you know he toured with the Rolling Stones? Did you know that a then-unknown Jimi Hendrix played guitar in Little Richard’s backing band, and on some of his recordings, in 1964? David Bowie claimed he was influenced by Little Richard’s rock’n’roll androgyny, and so did Prince. John Waters’ famous moustache was inspired by Little Richard as well. James Brown imitated Little Richard’s style and created his own in the process. And when Little Richard first started performing to segregated audiences in the States, the white kids would actually break past the barriers to dance with the black kids.
Think of all the names I just dropped, then consider the influence that those artists went on to have on the world. You’ll see why Little Richard was so important. It’s exponential. Despite never reaching the heights of fame that came to some of those he influenced, he was an absolute legend and he will be missed.
Considered in the context of the early-to-mid 1950s, early Little Richard was insane, way over the top and out in left field compared to everything else happening in music and fashion at the time. Although early rock’n’roll isn’t really my cup of tea, his early music had an energy and a style that was entirely his own, and it was certainly contagious. It was a style that many would imitate and that would go on to influence millions. He was also a man who wore make-up and sequins, did drag, and was flamboyant at a time when it was distinctly unwise to do so. Although he finally came out decisively as gay later in life, he was evasive about it in the early days. It wasn’t really a secret, but somehow, unlike some other stars, he was Little Richard, and it was tolerated at a time when it was not acceptable.
He lived a very interesting life on his own terms.
He truly did things his own way, even going so far as leaving the music business entirely to become a preacher. When a flight he was on looked like it might crash, Little Richard promised God that if He would spare him, he would leave rock’n’roll behind and join the seminary, and then he actually did it. Now that takes some balls! Of course, he was eventually asked to leave the seminary and came back to rock’n’roll, but that’s another story, haha. He never walked the easy path.
Upon returning to show business, Little Richard had a hard time climbing back to the top. He went through a few different record companies and released several albums, but none of them were the comeback he had been hoping for. The styles had changed by the time he returned to rock’n’roll and he never quite got back in sync with the times. Despite the setbacks, he was a trouper, he recorded steadily throughout the 60s and 70s. In fact, it is two of these later albums that were meant to be the sole focus of this post, rather than an overview of the man himself. So let’s get to it!
I recently came across an amazing track called “I Don’t Want to Discuss It” on a compilation of R&B and soul from Sony Music (Europe) and Music on Vinyl called “The Northern Soul Story Vol. 2: The Golden Torch” (MOVLP154). As the album played and I grooved along to the funky sounds, this particular track caught my attention. Curious about the artist, I checked the track listing and was shocked to discover it was none other than Little Richard. This was no “Tutti Frutti” or “Long Tall Sally.” This was a gorgeously recorded, funky Northern Soul track that sounded nothing like the scratchy rock’n’roll I had always previously associated with him. Wondering if I had anything else from this era of Little Richard in my Northern Soul collection, I dug through the albums and was pleased to find “A Little Bit of Something (Beats a Whole Lot of Nothing)” on another LP in the same series, “The Northern Soul Story Vol. 1: The Twisted Wheel” (MOVLP153). Just as good, and just as much of a scorcher. Now my curiosity was really piqued.
It turns out both tracks were recorded during Little Richard’s brief tenure at Okeh Records, with “I Don’t Want to Discuss It” being the album opener on his 1968 release “The Explosive Little Richard”. I read a few reviews of this period of his output, but they weren’t particularly complimentary. Reading between the lines, though, I got the impression the reviewers were simply disappointed these albums weren’t more of the same 1950s stuff, which was precisely what I did NOT want. Now I was really excited.
Mind. Blown.
I was doing some cleaning and other chores around the house as the music blasted out of the speakers. THIS was the kind of music I wanted! I knew it was an album I wanted to own on vinyl when I realized I was picking up the lyrics easily and singing along as I worked. It hints at rock’n’roll, but it’s much more savvy and funky. The music is very much in the vein of Motown and the R&B soul of the late 60s that I love. A lot of the horns and rhythm brought James Brown to mind, though with actual lyrics I could understand and a little less… James Brown-ness, haha!
I set out immediately to find a copy in good shape. Happily, I found a 1970 US pressing in excellent condition for about $5 from a seller in Denmark I shop with frequently, thanks to their great international shipping prices. One of the advantages of falling in love with lesser-known or underappreciated albums is that they are usually easy to find at a decent price!
While browsing Little Richard’s late-60s/early-70s discography, I came across another album that looked interesting: his first record for Reprise after leaving Okeh, 1970’s “The Rill Thing”, considered by many to be his comeback album. I followed the same approach and checked it out on Spotify. This one showcases yet another side of Little Richard, it still has some of the R&B vibe of “The Explosive Little Richard”, but it’s grittier and rockier. I had to have it.
Remember what I said about lesser-known albums being easier to find cheap? “The Rill Thing”, having produced his biggest hit in years, “Freedom Blues”, as well as a moderately successful follow-up single, “Greenwood, Mississippi” (which sounds like C.C.R.!), was not as easy to find in good shape for under $20. So it sat on my wish list for a few months until, yes, you guessed it, my Danish seller came through again.
(These being pre-pandemic days, the album arrived at my door in under three weeks. God knows how long I’d have to wait now.* sigh *)
I may not have a taste for his early music, the stuff that made him famous, but more and more I am discovering that I love his later output. (Note: I just ordered a copy of his 1986 album “Lifetime Friend” after previewing it on Spotify!)
Do you like that Motown vibe but don’t know where to start beyond a Supremes greatest hits or a Motown best-of compilation? These two albums are a GREAT place to begin. They are the only two Little Richard albums I own, but I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Another great starting point are the Northern Soul collections mentioned above, but that’s another post for another day.
And that’s a wrap for today. I’m going back to listening to “The Rill Thing” while I do these damn dishes.
Little Richard’s passing shouldn’t go unnoticed. Spend some time with his music and let yourself feel the joy and exuberance he brought to his craft.
Here for your listening pleasure are the two albums I mentioned, as well as a couple of extra tracks recorded during the same Okeh Records recording sessions as “The Explosive Little Richard”. I know you’ll enjoy them! PLAY LOUD!
#MusicBoxTW
