Little Richard

When I think about it, the song and artist deserve the shine. Little Richard, along with other Rock & Roll legends like Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry & Fats Domino, deserve all the respect in the world. I've played their music on my radio show when I can but I want to go a bit further in my acknowledgment.



A while back, I was headed to my home-away-from-home Nice Music and was sitting at a bus stop. A minivan pulled up to the intersection and I could hear Little Richard's vocals through the rolled up windows. When I heard the melody, I knew the song was Long Tall Sally. I'll tell you this. I didn't hide my appreciation for the song. I moved and grooved on the bus stop bench and suddenly, the rear window cracked open and the sounds rang loud and clear for all to hear. I smiled and gave the driver a thumbs up.

As he pulled off, I realized Long Tall Sally was a better song that I gave it credit for. I love his tracks nearly equally, especially the bigger hits, but there's something about Sally. If I could put my finger on it, it would be the urgency of the delivery and melody.

I respond to that. Like James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Dyke & The Blazers and even John Fogerty, wild vocals appeal to me some reason. If you match that with a driving beat, you get me like The Roots. I'm old enough to know Little Richard's contributions to music even if others aren't. A blog entry and link to the video is the least I can do to show my appreciation until or unless I get to thank him in person.