Little Richard Special on CNN
Just finished watching this special tonight; please watch if you can. I recognize that this thread may be closed as off-topic, but I really felt compelled to comment. Little Richard was brilliant. I didn’t realize until tonight how much he was abused and unrecognized by the recording industry for being gay (actually, bi) and especially for being Black. Imagine hearing Pat Boone (of all people) appropriating your songs at what should have been the height of your fame. Little Richard never got over the constant slights - and who can blame him.
I saw Little Richard in 1999 when he toured with Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry. Jerry Lee came out first looking like death. He gave a workmanlike performance under the circumstances. Chuck Berry didn’t look a whole lot better, and it was clear he just wanted to get this over with. Little Richard, however, literally burst onto the stage and gave a magnificent performance. He clearly loved being on stage and interacting with the audience. It was a night to remember.
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