Legendary Bands - Little Richard Posters

If we can accept the proposition that excellent rock singing is based on power, expression, control, delivery, emotional impact, and flamboyant style, that we are able to agree that Little Richard is the Greatest Rock 'N' Roll Singer Of All Time. He has a bevy of beautiful creatures, from Molly to Jenny Jenny, Miss Clawdy to Long Tall Sally, (and who could forget Lucille) to back his play. Ooh, my soul!!

Richard Penniman, the Georgia Peach, was born in 1932, and was already outrageous by age 13, so much so his parents booted him out. He then lived with a white Macon, Georgia family who ran the Tick Tock club, where Richard debuted. During the early '50s he recorded for RCA, and later had a minor hit fronting the Tempo Toppers with "Ain't That Good News," his vocal style already fully developed. Lloyd Price suggested he contact Specialty Records, where Art Rupe saw his potential and placed him with staff producer Bumps Blackwell.

Their initial 1955 session together yielded "Tutti Frutti," and Richard was off with a series of trans-Atlantic crossover smashes. His fame was boosted by film appearances in Don't Knock The Rock, Mr. Rock 'N' Roll, and the classic The Girl Can't Help It. In 1957, Richard abruptly halted his success and entered theological school to became an ordained minister following a sign from God. By '64 he was back touring Europe where he found a whole new generation of fans and musicians who idolized him. Inner conflicts between the Sacred and the Profane continued to torment him. Additionally, despite some fine recordings (including mid-'60s gems with Jimi Hendrix on guitar), he never matched his initial breakthrough.

Wild as ever, the '90s Little Richard makes children's albums, talk show appearances, and occasionally still turns up in films. He continues to perform, and even in his mid-60s can howl at maximum power for two hours. Shut Up!

NOTE: The majority of Little Richard's array of smash hit non-stop rock 'n' roll classics were recorded as singles. Hence, the vast majority of Richard LPs available in the bins are "Greatest Hit" packages of one form or another. With some variation, they feature the same general set of tunes. Richard re-recorded his hits several times for other labels over the years.

When picking a collection, it's vital that it's from the Specialty vaults--these are the tracks that are the classics. Of these collections, the best are 18 Greatest Hits - Specialty Master (from Rhino) which is just what it says, and for those who have seen the light get The Specialty Sessions four CD box set. It's superlative. What follows are non-greatest hit collections currently available.

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