The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Authorised Biography [Paperback]

Charles White (Author), Paul McCartney (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2003

The classic authorized biography exposes the astonishing life and times of Richard Wayne Penniman. Using Richard’s own words, White chronicles a staggering career, tussles with God and The Devil, and an erratic series of comebacks. Illustrated with rare pictures and including a comprehensive discography.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charles White, better known as Dr Rock, is official biographer to both Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. Born in Dublin in 1942, he studied medicine in the Sixties and then moved to Scarborough where he still lives. He is both a writer and broadcaster, and a recognised expert on early rock 'n' roll.

Product Details

• Paperback: 290 pages
• Publisher: Omnibus Press; 3rd edition (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0711997616
• ISBN-13: 978-0711997615
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,080,447 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STUNNING, BRUTALLY HONEST PORTRAIT OF A LEGEND, January 14, 2007

By 

B. Robyn Donison (Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Authorised Biography (Paperback)

Little Richard was more than any other artist, the start of rock n roll music. He inspired generations of r&b, rock, and soul artists and set the wheels in motion for James Brown and the development of funk. Elvis called him an inspiration and the greatest, James Brown called him his idol, Smokey called him the start of that funky, drivin, never-let-up rock and roll, Ray Charles called him the man that started a kind of music that set the pace for a lot of what's happenein today, Jimi Hendrix said he wanted to do with his guitar what Little Richard did with his voice. Considering Richard's pivotal role in the formation of modern music, it is sad that this is the only biographical or autobiographical book that is available to the public. Far more than recall the early days in the formation of the most important art form of the twentieth century, this semi-autobiographical work is a brutally frank testimony of Richard's difficult 'wild years' and the poignant return to the born-again Christian faith in which he was raised by his mother. Love him or loathe him, he remains the heart and soul of rock n roll. And almost 55 years from his first recordings (in the early 1950's) he still can rock (check out his 2002 tribute to the late Johnny Cash on 'Kindred Spirits' and his 2005 recording with Jerry Lee Lewis on the upcoming release 'The Pilgrim'.) May God continue to bless Little Richard!!

WARNING - This is brutally frank, open, honest portrait of a remarkable man, and, despite the tesitmony of his born again Christian converstion in the final chapters, some of the material would be considered offensive. It is definately for mature readers.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Updated story; downgraded sessiongraphy-discography, August 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Authorised Biography (Paperback)

Despite what VH1-type music channels imply, Little Richard is the most influential rock artist of all time. This book does not fully explore the *musical* reason for that statement, but remains, almost 19 years after its' launch, perhaps the most literate pop music biography.
It's amazing that so many rock culture writers apparently have not seriously referenced this book and learned of the importance of LR to RR. For example, book after book on the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, for example, still use Richard as a quirky, eccentric, gender-bending footnote - yeah, way in the beginning, they dug his flambouyance...McCartney was doing Richard on "Sgt. Pepper", folks.
Too bad that in some ways this book mirrors the sometimes confused and misguided career of its' subject - talking strictly about the ever-important recording session section. It surely appears that the current publisher used the original erroneous collation done by someone other than Mr. White. Simply put, there are too many obvious editing mistakes for that section to be taken seriously.
I hope Omnibus Press can correct this disappointing feature.
On the other hand, this edition adds some wonderful rare photographs and an interesting contribution by "Lifetime Friend" album producer Stuart Colman.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book about a Living Legend, December 12, 2011

By 

thehimiler - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Authorised Biography (Paperback)

Without Little Richard, there would not be scores of rock artists as we know them today. Little Richard was inspiration for many, many Rock & Roll acts over the years. This book walks you through his chilhood & career.

Any Rock enthusiast should read this just for the history.