Customer Reviews

The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Authorised Biography

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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.

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.

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.

Little Richard is truly ne of a Kind artist. whatever you see today pretty much is in debt to his importance as a Musician, style maker trend-setter and Original swag that started way back. this Book is very direct and frank and he pulls no punches. fellow legendary artists pay there respects and speak on his importance and what he meant then and now. Little Richard is truly an American Original and he has so much insight and so much to speak on then and now. a must read. He is Rock and Roll Royality.