topic Re: RIP Little Richard in Community Chat

RIP Little Richard

Pearlee — Sat, 09 May 2020 14:41:06 GMT

Rock and roll legend Richard Penniman, better known as Little Richard, passed away at age 87, as confirmed by his son. Cause of death not stated. He was a true Rock and Roll pioneer.

I loved Little Richard, a unique guy. Loved his music but my favorite performance of his was in the film Down and Out in Beverly Hills. He was great -- and hilarious. May he rest in peace. 😢

Re: RIP Little Richard

Pearlee — Sat, 09 May 2020 14:41:53 GMT

Forgot to add source is the NY Post.

Re: RIP Little Richard

Tricolor — Sat, 09 May 2020 14:51:57 GMT

I have loved him since I was a teen. Such a crazy and very entertaining musician. May God rest his soul. Used to listen to his music when I would use my treadmill. Needed something like his music to keep going on that thing.

Re: RIP Little Richard

Pearlee — Sat, 09 May 2020 14:56:43 GMT

@Tricolor. DId you ever see that film? If not you should. The film is very funny and Richard is the highlight IMO (well he and Matisse, the border collie).

I can see his music being good for treadmill walking!

Re: RIP Little Richard

Tricolor — Sat, 09 May 2020 14:58:40 GMT

I have not seen the film. Will have to look for it. Thank you. He will be missed so much. Oh wait my old brain just turned on. Yes I did see the film. Geez can't believe that I forgot about it.

Re: RIP Little Richard

Pearlee — Sat, 09 May 2020 15:06:59 GMT

I want to watch it again now, haven't seen it in a long time. He's Richard Dreyfus' and Bette Midler'sBeverly Hills neighbor who isn't getting treated by police the same as they are. I thought he was great, esp for not really being an actor.

@Tricolor

Re: RIP Little Richard

just bee — Sat, 09 May 2020 15:15:07 GMT

Good golly, Miss Molly -- I didn't expect to see this today.

Better-half and I saw him perform at the now-defunct Circle Star Theatre several years ago. He tossed sparkly costume jewelry from the stage and BH caught a few pieces.

Always fabulous, always influential. Will always be.

Godspeed.

Re: RIP Little Richard

deepwaterdotter — Sat, 09 May 2020 15:19:38 GMT

What a show he and Prince can put on in the Afterlife.

Re: RIP Little Richard

Mz iMac — Sat, 09 May 2020 15:26:45 GMT

R.I.P.

Little Richard "movie"

Re: RIP Little Richard

drizzellla — Sat, 09 May 2020 15:30:49 GMT

Oh Pearley, I thought I was losing my memory. You mentioned Little Richard in "Down and Out in Beverly Hills". I could not remember him in the movie. In fact I could not remember any music in the movie.

So I had to look up movies with Bette Midler. DUH! I was thinking the movie "Ruthless People" was named "Down and Out in Beverly Hills".

Both movies were made in 1986 and "Ruthless People" was made right after "Down and Out in Beverly Hills". I saw "Ruthless People" in the movie theatre, so I guess that is why it stuck with me. And "Down and Out in Beverly Hills", I saw on TV in bits and pieces.

Now I want to check out Little Richard in "Down and Out in Beverly Hills".

Re: RIP Little Richard

KLevineFan — Sat, 09 May 2020 15:41:13 GMT

From the UK Guardian:
The Specialty singles exerted a profound influence on a later generation of musicians – Paul McCartney was a huge fan, and the Beatles performed Richard’s songs in concert.

“I could do Little Richard’s voice, which is a wild, hoarse, screaming thing. It’s like an out-of-body experience,” McCartney said. “You have to leave your current sensibilities and go about a foot above your head to sing it. You have to actually go outside yourself.”

Re: RIP Little Richard

Pearlee — Sat, 09 May 2020 15:43:19 GMT

@drizzellla 😀
He plays the piano and sings Tutti Fruitti in Down and Out. IMO it's much funnier than Ruthless People.

Re: RIP Little Richard

Pearlee — Sat, 09 May 2020 15:46:51 GMT

@KLevineFan. Thanks for your post. When I first read the news, I immediately thought that the Beatles said they were influenced by LR (among other Americans in rock and roll) and thought that McCartney is probably very sad about this news.

Re: RIP Little Richard

Oznell — Sat, 09 May 2020 16:02:22 GMT

So sorry to hear that. So influential a talent, and such ENERGY and verve and showmanship. RIP.

Re: RIP Little Richard

golding76 — Sat, 09 May 2020 16:45:03 GMT

I've written this before on the QVC Forum, but Little Richard was also a kind-hearted and sympathetic soul. My brother knew him on a friendly, professional level, and when Little Richard learned that our mother had passed, he sent flowers as well as his condolences.

I'll never forget what he said to my brother upon hearing the news of our mother's death: "I know what you're going through." As I recall, Little Richard had not too long before lost his own mother.

Without question Little Richard was one of the seminal popularizers of rock and roll and did much to seed this genre. His performances were a joyful, musical romp!

May he rest in peace!

[I just remembered something else that attests to Little Richard's good nature. The last time he performed in the D.C. Metro Area, he was at a venue in Northern Virginia (I don't remember where). The newspaper reported that, as was his custom, Little Richard took all his band members/entourage out to eat. I remember that he took them to the Golden Corral at the Fair City Mall (Fairfax, Va.). I don't think that the buffet is even there any longer. Anyway, I pictured in my mind what a surprise that must have been for the local patrons.]

Re: RIP Little Richard

Oostende — Sat, 09 May 2020 16:24:17 GMT

A pioneer and one of the greats. Godspeed, Little Richard.

Re: RIP Little Richard

GoneButNotForgotten — Sat, 09 May 2020 17:09:42 GMT

didn't he do a commercial years ago with Joan Rivers?

Re: RIP Little Richard

golding76 — Sat, 09 May 2020 18:03:33 GMT

I did not find a commercial, but found this, among others.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTyOVzdCsuU

Re: RIP Little Richard

jellyBEAN — Sat, 09 May 2020 18:43:25 GMT

I too enjoyed Little Richard everytime I saw him on TV or in a movie. I love that style of playing the piano - outrageously and that he had such great vocals whilst playing like that was incredible.

He certainly was one of the great rock n rollers. Always memorable and very likeable.

May he RIP.

Re: RIP Little Richard

Porcelain — Sat, 09 May 2020 19:20:03 GMT

Such a bright star. He will be very missed.