The king and queen of rock 'n' roll—and Sunset Boulevard
Clip: 6/2/2023 | 1m 33sVideo has Closed Captions
By 1985, Little Richard had abandoned rock 'n' roll and was living in a hotel in L.A.
By 1985, Little Richard had abandoned rock 'n' roll, the music genre that he helped pioneer in the 1950s, and was living in a hotel in Los Angeles. "He would embrace people and they would ask him to sign autographs ... He would just wanna ride," said Ron Jones, his bandmate and friend.
Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...
The king and queen of rock 'n' roll—and Sunset Boulevard
Clip: 6/2/2023 | 1m 33sVideo has Closed Captions
By 1985, Little Richard had abandoned rock 'n' roll, the music genre that he helped pioneer in the 1950s, and was living in a hotel in Los Angeles. "He would embrace people and they would ask him to sign autographs ... He would just wanna ride," said Ron Jones, his bandmate and friend.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(light music) - Richard, do you have like a favorite side?
- Yes.
This is my little side and this is my big side.
I like both of them.
(Little Richard laughs) - [Ron] At that point in his life, Richard wasn't playing rock-and-roll.
- Ooh, that's gonna be good.
- We were very, very close friends.
I met Richard in Los Angeles in the 70s and became part of his band.
We bonded.
- Your eyes may shine, your teeth may grit, but none of my songs you will get.
(Little Richard laughs) (light music) - [Ron] Years later, I would go visit him.
He was living at a hotel on Sunset Boulevard with the spiral staircase and all of that.
I'd go to the lobby and hang out and then Richard would come down from the elevator and there's people in the lobby and they'd say, "Oh, that's Little Richard."
He'd say, "Oh, hey, baby."
And he's waving at everybody and he would embrace people and they would ask him to sign autographs and he would sign autographs.
So we'll get through that.
Then the driver would cut.
He would just wanna ride.
(car engine roars)
Big Freedia on Little Richard, music and the queer community
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Artist Big Freedia reflects on the similarities between herself and Little Richard. (13m 48s)
Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll
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Experience the meteoric rise and enduring legacy of Little Richard. (28s)
Little Richard preaches the gospel
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Little Richard had a fervid relationship with religion. (2m)
Video has Closed Captions
Little Richard first originated the famous refrain in "Tutti Frutti" at the Dew Drop Inn. (1m 41s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSupport for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...