rock and roll musings by Tim Byrnes

We interrupt the golden age of rock and roll to travel back in time. To December 5, 1932, to be precise. Now there was no star in the East that cold night, but maybe there was a sequin, because that night Richard Penniman was born to walk among men and atop pianos yelling "wooooooooooo". Without this madman from Macon, Georgia, not only would there be no Elvis Presley (as the man said, MY king of rock and roll never ‘did the clam’), there would be no rock and roll.

A rash statement perhaps, but, really, who else was there was lifting tables with his teeth in strip clubs in 1951? Who else was wearing eye make-up and singing about ‘good booty’ in 1954? Nobody but the originator, he innovator, the architect of rock and roll, and if you don’t believe me, ask Richard, he’ll tell you.

Between February 1956 and December 1957 alone, the man did the following: released ‘Tutti Frutti’, ‘Long Tall Sally’, ‘Slippin’ and Slidin’‘, ‘Rip It Up’, ‘Lucille’, ‘Keep A Knockin’‘, ‘The Girl Can’t Help It’, ‘She’s Got It and "Jenny, Jenny". He also appeared in the movies "Mister Rock and Roll" with Alan Freed, ‘Don’t Knock the Rock" with Bill Haley and "The Girl Can’t Help It" with Jayne Mansfield. And how does he follow that amzing run? By denouncing rock and roll, throwing his jewelry into the ocean and enters theological college and becomes a minister. But not before recording ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’.

The ‘can’t serve 2 masters"’ school of though has afflicted rockers from Dylan to Jerry Lee Lewis, the sacred vs. profane debate will rage forever, but Little Richard brought a religious fervor to rock and a rock fervor to religion. When he would preach he would also play piano and well, you can take the piano player out of rock and roll......

Meanwhile Art Rupe of Specialty records, Richard’s record company was not a stupid man. When Richard decided to leave rock and roll for Jesus, Rupe convinced him to record some tunes which he released on a piecemeal basis until 1962, just in time for Richard’s return to the rock and roll stage. He ignited audiences in Europe and showed, among others, the Beatles how it was done. While playing on the same bill with the moptops in Hamburg (November 1962) it’s been rumored that the cute Beatle asked Richard how to sing in that style. I’d like to think Richard uttered his famous "Shut up!’ and walked away. Maybe going ‘wooooooo’ for good measure. And let’s not forget, he was also part of the ‘Live Peace in Toronto" rock revival show that also featured John Lennon and Yoko Ono (and one can only imagine the magic that Richard and Yoko might have made together, I mean talk about ‘woooooooo’)

Suffice it to say, the man was/is an original, no-make that THE original. He had it all, rock-king wise; black, gay and outrageous-that takes care of the outcast factor. He tapped into the spirit of wildness required of all great rock and roll and, too this day, he don’t give a rat’s ass what you or I or Dick Clark thinks about him.

My favorite Little Richard story is the one where he’s at the Rock Awards, announcing the winner of Best New Talent. Resplendent in white satin and mirrors, Richard walks up to the mic and says "The winner of Best New Talent is..........ME! That’s right..Little Richard! How come you never gave ME no awards! I created it all, baby. SHUT UP!’

My second favorite story is when Dick Clark’s American Music Awards, in their infinite wisdom gave Richard a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ and Richard accepts by saying "I’m glad that Mr. Clark saw fit to give me this award while I’m still alive."

A sore winner! Now if that ain’t punk rock, I don’t know what is, certainly not Billy Idol or Johnny Ramone or any number of pretenders to the throne. Don’t let the phone commercials and Disney movies fool you, Little Richard is the King and Queen of rock and roll and even though he’s 70-something years old, he can still kick your ass, my ass and Johnny Rotten’s ass.

Recommended Listeneing: Everything the man ever recorded!

Posted by: timbyrnes at 23:12 | link | comments

Comments: