Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Experience the meteoric rise and enduring legacy of Little Richard. This portrait of the “King and Queen of Rock and Roll” explores his far-reaching influence as well as his advocacy for the rights of Black artists in the music industry.

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.

Little Richard first originated the famous "awop-bop-a-loo-mop alop-bam-boom" refrain in his hit song "Tutti Frutti" early in his career while performing at the Dew Drop Inn in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Little Richard had a fervid relationship with religion, and even quit rock and roll music for religion once in 1957, only to return years later. He was regularly preaching in 1984, claiming that his days "should be spent now, at the age of 52, spreading the gospel."

In this extended outtake from "Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock 'n' Roll" conducted by director James House, New Orleans bounce artist and performer Big Freedia reflects on the similarities between herself and Little Richard, and the impact he had on music on the queer community.