Flamboyant Rock ‘n Roll Pioneer Little Richard dies at 87

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

Vocalist, pianist, composer Little Richard, an architect of rock ‘n roll, found what he needed to explode worldwide when in 1955 he recorded in Cosimo Matassa’s J&M Studio. Richard’s dynamic vocals and pounding piano received the signature “New Orleans sound” resulting in his first hit, “Tutti Frutti,” that rose up the charts and stood as the kick-off of Little Richard’s legend. Born Richard Penniman in Macon, Georgia, Little Richard died on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at the age of 87.

In the studio during these fateful days were the ace musicians of the era including saxophonists Lee Allen and Alvin “Red” Tyler, bassist Frank Fields, drummer Earl Palmer and guitarist Justin Adams with, of course, Matassa acting as engineer. It has been said that producer Robert “Bumps” Blackwell had heard Little Richard perform a sexually suggestive version of “Tutti Frutti” at New Orleans renowned Dew Drop Inn and saw its hit-making possibilities. Dorothy LaBostrie, a songwriter whose contributions to this city’s songbook include Irma Thomas’ first recording “(You Can Have My Husband) But Please Don’t Mess with My Man,” vocalist Johnny Adams’ moving “I Won’t Cry” and the flip side of “Tutti Frutti,” “I’m Just a Lonely Guy,” was enlisted to clean up the lyrics to make the rousing tune radio friendly. Thus Richard’s words, “Tutti Frutti, good booty” became “Tutti Frutti, aw rooty.” Other changes were also absolutely necessary. It was the ever improvising and creative genius of Little Richard that gave the song its oomph as he sang, no screamed, “A wop bop a-loo bop a wop bam boom!” What ready to break out teenager in 1956 wouldn’t go for that? Little Richard along with Fats Domino, who Richard greatly admired, notably stood out as Black artists who crossed over the racial divide in music leading the way in garnering mixed Black and white audiences.

RICHARD ‘LITTLE RICHARD’ PENNIMAN

Matassa’s North Rampart Street J&M Studio was the right place at the right time for Little Richard who also recorded the hits he became renowned for throughout his career. They include chart topping rockers released on Art Rupe’s Specialty label like “Good Golly, Miss Molly,” “Long Tall Sally” and “Slippin’ and Slidin’.” Match these songs with Richard’s outrageously wonderful stage antics – leg up on the piano, suggestive dance moves – over-the top pompadour and eye-popping glittery attire and you’ve got rock ‘n roll.

Richard, “Little Richard” Penniman, was born in Macon, Georgia and grew up the son of a preacher and began singing gospel music. He returned to those roots when for a time when he gave up performing secular music and became an ordained minister. He did return to the stage and gained further exposure to a next generation of fans when he toured with the Beatles who credited Richard for inspiring their music.

Prior to sessions when Little Richard shook up Matassa’s studio, he had stopped in the city while on tour fronting his band the Tempo Toppers. In John Broven’s excellent book, “Rhythm and Blues in New Orleans,” guitarist and vocalist Earl King recalled Little Richard packing the notorious Club Tijuana.

Richard returned to the city in 1993 for the first time since the mid-1950s to open up Jimmy Buffet’s Primo Parrothead Party at Tad Gormley Stadium. Following his solid set of hits, a sparkling Little Richard began throwing some of his bling to the crowd who rushed to the foot of the stage. He was back in town the following year to make his first and only performance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

Little Richard’s high energy piano and vocal style and the “New Orleans Sound” were the perfect innovative mix to launch rock ‘n roll. He flamboyantly captained that rocket that continues to orbit today.

This article originally published in the May 18, 2020 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.