Nick Danger

Little Richard died Saturday at 87. He was a fantastic performer and wrote some wonderful songs.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/m...mpression=true

JasonX

His early sides are fantastic. I’m glad Esquerita got a plug in that article too. Both sadly under appreciated.

Sonny Corinthos

One of the all time greats IMO. So many artist tried to copy his style and flamboyance, but no one ever came close. His songs have been covered from everyone from Elvis Presley to the Beatles. RIP.

atrium

Wow, he was one of the most important early architects of rock 'n' roll. And there aren't many of them left.

B5Erik

Yeah, this almost closes the books on the Golden Age of Rock and Roll.

Little Richard was a giant when it came to the formation of Rock and Roll. A true legend, and one of the greats.

Eye Candy

My introduction to Rock'n'Roll, was by way of Paul McCartney & The Beatles in 1964. I love this cover.

JoeySeven

one of a kind talent.
RIP

Ash Ketchum

That other rock & roll pioneer is still alive :

JasonX

It isn’t fair to dismiss Pat Boone entirely. There is some good music there. In terms of early rock icons with a distinct sound and style, Jerry Lee Lewis does seem to be the last man standing at this point.

tommyp007

I did not know he was gay until I read it in some obits. Yes, the mascara and such, but I always assumed it was just flamboyance for the stage.

Sonny Corinthos

It kind of crazy isn't it? With the live style he has led, alcoholism, drug abuse, even had a stroke last year I believe, he's the final one living from the 1950's Roll and Roll ear. Always been a fan of Lewis, it will be sad to see him go.

atrium

Don Everly of The Everly Brothers is also still alive. They might not rock as hard as some of these other guys, but they're a definitely a big part of 50s rock 'n' roll.



Buddy and Richard:

rexinnih

RIP to a true legend.

brayzie

RIP

I’ve never really been too much into Rock n Roll from that era but Little Richard was always one of my favorites.

Him and Buddy Holly are the only prominent ones of that era whose music I still listen to.

Eye Candy

I'm getting a "Vincent Price-like" vibe from that face of Little Richard.

And I never took notice until now, of that receding hairline of the young Buddy Holly.

Bill Haley would have been 94 now, if he had survived.

rw2516

Everly Brothers could rock pretty hard. Their rock and roll recordings weren't hits and can be harder to track down.
Not in the same league as the giants but Fabian, Dion and Freddy Cannon are still around.
Ronnie Hawkins started in 1958 and is still alive.

Jason

Little Richard is an inaugural member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

JeffTheAlpaca

He played a preacher on Miami Vice

JasonX

Sure, but how many people still actively listen to his music? What major greatest hits packages has he had that had significant sales? Considering the regard he should be deservedly held in, I still maintain he was underrated.

As someone mentioned it earlier, I don’t believe he was gay. I suspect bi would be closer to the mark.

Mabuse

I appreciate him more in the last few years, but when I was a kid I couldn’t stand him. I’d heard Tutti Fruity and understood he was a legend of oldies rock radio, but in the 80’s as a kid, all i would see was these obnoxious, flamboyant cameos. The Miami Vice one was actually really good, and that was a good show, but he’d pop up in sitcoms and Hollywood Squares and stuff. It was embarrassing.

JeffTheAlpaca

Maybe if they make a movie on his life that would strengthen his legacy for future generations.

brayzie

I had a somewhat similar impression of him growing up. I never disliked him, but I only knew of “Tutti Frutti” and his appearances in sitcoms. And of course there was the mocking of his flamboyant personality and his sexual orientation in shows like “In Living Color.” Compare that with Elvis Presley, who’s almost deified in pop-culture. Even as a kid I thought Elvis was the epitome of cool.

It wasn’t until about 5-10 years ago that my aunt was talking about how much she liked Little Richard and other music from that era. I gave him a serious listen after that and became a fan. I think the biographical TV movie played a factor too.

Why So Blu?

This commercial is awesome:

dom56

Jimi Hendrix before becoming famous was with Little Richard in the band. He got fired for being late for work.

Nick Danger

Letterman interviews Little Richard in 1982. It starts off good but then gets odd.

In it Little Richard says that he got thrown out of his boyhood house for being gay, and that he was one of the first gays to come out, but God spoke to him (recently) and he's not gay anymore. Even when I saw it on TV, I went "Huh?" Then he sings a country song about Jesus.