Awop Bop Aloo Mop: Little Richard: A Life of Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll...and Religion

Book excerpt: As much music history as biography, "A Wop Bop Aloo Mop" celebrates "Little" Richard Wayne Penniman who burst onto the American scene in 1955 with his mega-hit "Tutti Fruitti." Almost by himself, Little Richard wrote the anti-rules and poured the concrete for the foundation of a new musical art form he created. Alan Freed would call it "Rock & Roll." Dubbing himself "The Architect of Rock & Roll," Little Richard had the biggest impact on musicians and singers black and white with his wild, flamboyant performances and outrageous, costumes which included sequined tuxedo's, velvet capes, pancake make-up, eyeliner, and a six-inch pompadour hairdo. He was one of the first artists to make the androgynous look popular, and his influence could be experienced in the music and performances of Mick Jagger, The Beatles; Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, James Brown, and David Bowie-who all cite Richard as their inspiration from whom they all stole. But Little Richard also had demons he struggled with throughout his career--his complicated relationship with his sexual orientation, and its effect on his faith. Little Richard left secular music 18 months after his first hit to sing "for the Lord" in an effort to suppress his homosexuality. Four years later, he was back on stage in London with The Beatles as his opening act shaking his hips, singing his hit Tutti Frutti, a song that originated as a testament to gay sex. He helped solidify The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Billy Preston, and the Beatles as major acts who used his onstage antics for their success. A terrible car crash sidelined Little Richard for months causing him to miss his own induction into the first Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 for his contribution to music. But he later appeared in movies, television shows and tours showing everyone why he remains the "Originator, the innovator, and the "Architect of Rock & Roll."