Little Richard has always received credit. He's been in the Rock and Roll HOF since 1986 and was a first ballot inductee. He made a living off his music in the 50s and The Beatles gave him props more than once in the 60s and the picture of them with one of their heroes was all over magazines. Some folks just like to complain.
Little Richard was so innovative and impactful and the crowd basically laughed him off like a joke. He probably dealt with that all his life, including growing up and in his family and music and creativity became his outlet for dealing with it, and this eccentric, brilliant personality emerged. Like why would people laugh at him going back to school? He was probably traumatized by people not taking him seriously. He will be a legend forever though.
Were folks in the audience laughing at him? It seemed that Mr. Richard had delighted the audience through the entire interview. ...but maybe I'm projecting my reaction on the audience. 🙂
@@TheNotoriousJTGUm....no...he wasn't joking about going back to school and learning how to read...his managers were ripping him him off for years and he wasn't having it anymore. Did you listen too him bro? It's just stupid people, or just ready too laugh or even the studio probably putting the "Applause" sign on.....at the "perfect" time if you know what I mean.
He’s talked about all of the time. The most famous rock performers and historians give Little Richard credit for inventing an entire genre of music but I agree, it wasn’t enough.
@@cococock2418 he actually used multiple of Richard hits . And other black artists songs songs without asking stealing … and even Elvis said he was inspired by black artists and learned everything from black artists… Rock n roll genre was created by black Americans.. cutt the bs. Before u argue anything I said look it up yourself. Google works great . We are the creators of jazz,blues,swing,hiphop, r&b, country. Stop playing with us
He was so real, and Dave really had a huge respect for him, he used to be a lot more playful in his interviews back in the day, but here you can see he’s paying so much attention
Richard Penniman was totally unique and no-one was bigger and more contributing to rock ‘n roll than he . We got to know each other in the 60’s and 70’s . Great and fun guy ! Bless and long live Littlle Richard ! Stu Kurland
Little Richard was my Mama's first love 💕. He started rock & roll, there's no doubt about it! Rest easy Little Richard. You will always be the architect of rock music.god bless your sweet soul.
That’s the problem with some of these old late show episodes… The audience tended to always think everything was a joke. Some moments are pretty cringy now because of that.
Laughter doesn't automatically translate to ridicule. I laughed too at the irony of it all and because I was engaged in his story. And he was being funny. He said he was making piles of money, he'd better learn how to count it.
I had no idea Little Richard became an evangelist. and from all the spot on Bible Quotes he really sounds genuine. This guy was still at the top of his game with an incredible voice. He had no reason to pretend to be anyone he wasn't. He didn't care about any criticism for controversy. what incredible honesty. one comment said he went to heaven in 2020 I didn't know it was only not long ago either. A powerful story, what a blessing
They laughed at him like they're at a comedy club, so derespectful. He was truly unbothered. This is the main reason some people don't share their stories. Proud of you Richard 😁
" from all the spot on Bible Quotes he really sounds genuine." It has been my experience, over the last 40+ years, that it is the people like Little Richard who know the Bible. They spent so much of their life being bombarded by it. Surrounded around it. And feeling like they had to show others how much they "Love the Bible Too" to make sure they fit in enough so that someone didn't kill them for being "Different" People like Little Richard knows the Bible. It has been my experience, over the last 40+ years, that it is the "normal" people who sit in the pews weekly having a man read them his understanding of the Bible that doesn't. Those people have always felt like they "Fit In", so the info doesn't really have to stick. Nobody is ever going to question them on that. Their life is never threatened.
Little Richard was one of the nicest most honest people I ever had the honor of meeting. I met him on several occasions while living in Nashville Tn. To my surprise he remembered my name and even the little details that I shared with him. He was absolutely hilarious!
Chuck Berry and Little Richard are huge influences to musicians past, present, and will be to future musicians. Not just rock musicians, but musicians of varied genre.
I wished I had seen this when it aired. I think it's wonderful everything he said how he triumphed over all all his life issues. He is funny and he makes jokes about it or it appears that he is but it's all about what he has overcome!! What a wonderful voice...too bad he is no longer with us and passed in 2020. God has so many talented people up there can't wait to meet them all!!!!
Lovely Little Richard, what a sincere and interesting person ! RIP little darling ! Thank you fir all the lovely music we can still hear ! Lovely Angel RIP ❤
This was a relatively brief period in his life when he tried to hide who he was due to the rampant homophobia. Within a couple of years of this interview, he returned to being his genuine self.
@@SelfReflective it wouldn't tho. although Louis Jordan came before him he laid the groundwork for what rock and would be for the 1950's and where it would go from there.
Brings a whole new perspective to LR. Wonderful man of God. Letterman was much better back in the 80s before he became a caricature of himself. This is a great interview.
This is really nice, and I don't really listen to gospel, nor do I usually like peoples' rendition of this particular song. It's a difficult song to sing, and most people end up sounding like a howling, injured dog. 😂 But I was quite moved by Richard's version here (I listened to it 3 times). It was powerful, but you could hear the pain and honesty in it. RIP, Brother Richard.
"Oh yeah, Jimmi Hendrix, Otis Reading, James Brown, The Beattles, Mick Jagger, they all started with me...." HOLY F£$%! I never knew that. I'm truly blown away. He truly WAS the architect of rock and roll.
This is great, I love Little Richard, a true pioneer of Rock and Roll. It’s really too bad that the audience laughed at him when he was telling some very personal things. Missed but never forgotten. Rest in peace beautiful soul.
Not u disregarding this whole video. The celebrity worship is hilarious. He’s insane for being gay then saying he’s not gay then going back to being gay.
Love me some Little Richard. Was heartbroken during his moment of sincerity about going back to school to learn to read and do math when the crowd laughed. As a gay man who calls Georgia home, I hurt for the oppression I imagine he experienced, especially in and around Macon. What makes me most sad is that it seems that he never fully was able to accept his own inner gay self, and seemingly was most often lonely. In this clip, to me, he genuinely had the awkward look of a drag king. I mean, if anybody was born gay.... Here's hoping that he found peace, no matter what his true orientation, before he died.
Actually I did not perceive any maliciousness in the audience laughing when he said I went back to school to learn to count and read because he did say his managers were ripping him off ....so I think the public was laughing more at the reason why he went back to school then the fact that he went back to school ....and he wasn't upset at all ....he would just put in everything straight out and in a very calm way and then the fact that giants started off with him like James Brown or Otis Redding The Beatles Mick Jagger ....he knew them all...means he doesn't need to prove anything to that audience!!!
This just may be the most reserved I've ever seen Little Richard present himself. He's always been extremely flamboyant and extravagant. It's either an example of something very wrong with him psychologically, or he's on very effective sedative medication
I have to agree Little Richard was the innovator and trailblazer for Rock and Roll along with Chuck Berry and many others who helped lay the foundation for Modern Music
Well that's pretty much clear as day. He said it humbly too. Thats one of the oddest things I've ever heard because of the humility he had when saying it. Just spitting facts. Seems like Richard was always real with himself and everyone else too. That's a rare trait in people. It was VERY RARE in the 40s and 50s.
I waved to him one night as he was coming down the elevator at the Nashville Hilton, where he lived. To our surprise, he came down and headed right towards my small group. He hung out with us for twenty minutes and was as friendly as he is here. A few years later, I saw him again as his security was helping him into his car. His health had declined quite a bit. He smiled and waved. He remembered. What a cool guy.
He waved at me in new york once, actually waved me over - we had a drink (or two), and discussed Albert Camus and other existentialists - oh, yea - jean paul sartre
Little Richard deserved alot more respect than he got. RIP to the architect of rock &roll **edit** would it be better for you guys if I edited it to say "one of the architects of rock & roll? Ya tree hugging hippies.
I Met Him Too At A Restaurant On Crenshaw Bivd. Full Makeup😮 I Thank Yah/God For His Salvation!! ALL GLORY TO YAH!!!!! Hope To See Him N Paradise🎉🎉😇 Be Humble Pray Repent Repeat 🔁📖📖📖Everyone🙏🏾💒
Same!!! The kindest soul that 'twas around the industry, but did make it difficult by being himself. There's nothing wrong with that other than those surrounding him needed to compromise and didn't. Unfortunately, that's still a phenomenon that happens and always will with live, performing artists
Right and those saying he made a joke are absolutely TONE DEAF nothing about it was joking at that moment… he actually dismissed the laughter and continued to make his point. Ppl are horrible and still have sooooo many blind spots when dealing with POC smfh 🤦. They fail to realize black folks were forbidden to learn to read and write for centuries smh. How the hell are u laughing WITH someone who is not laughing (MAKE IT MAKE SENSE PLEASE!) this world is always soooo busy learning to imitate & mimic our swag, slang, sound/rhythm and even wanna use the N word with us, but they never try to shut up and truly understand us at all it’s SAD 😔
can't pray the gay away, it's part of one's identity. He just buried it due to religious shame-mongering but I saw him in interviews much later than this one and he was flaming like the Olympic torch. Did you ever see or hear of a woman he was romantically involved with? Nope. Letterman caught him in his denial dance phase where he was putting out gospel albums.
I saw him in concert a few years before he passed and he told us that he was never given any award despite how much he contributed to the music industry. He sounded heartbroken about it. After the show I saw him get into his car and I said, I love you Little Richard and he responded with I love you too! 🥰
He earned awards. They should have given the legends awards and not people like Beyoncé all the time. I don’t remember any awards show giving him tributes or anything, maybe a few did, but nothing that stands out to me.
@@ilovebabyyoda712 whether you like Beyoncé or not she’s a legend by virtue of her talent, accomplishments, and cultural relevance. It’s not like she’s Taylor swift lol.
Nowadays they would cut to a commercial & when they returned had a new guest there- gaslighting everyone that he wasn’t there to begin with… Yes. Now THIS is STUNNING & BRAVE!
I don’t think they were mocking him. May people are able to accept a lie but the truth makes them nervous. And he was funny, I’m sure he didn’t go there seeking their approval.
Little Richard was face value. He showed you and told you rather you liked it or not. He told and showed his truth. Because he was so honest, people thought he was crazy. Nearly EVERYTHING he said in this one interview about the music industry is now FINALLY coming to light in 2023. It's sad and unfortunate that people don't give you flowers and acknowledge your worth until after death.😢
This is the most honest and the best interview I have ever seen a person do, although the audience wasn't understanding, laughing at the fact he continued his education, nobody is perfect, he took ownership of the things he done, much respect for him, may he rest in paradise.
I'm not disagreeing with you but he is a very funny person and there are some people that tell a story that don't care how serious the nature of the story it makes you laugh 😂
This crowd didn't understand him, like they didn't take him seriously. This is an amazing interview. He has many layers to himself, and he's very honest.
This man is amazing. He talks about his life and then casually picks up a mic and belts out an amazing performance. I don't know this song but he sang it so well.
The crowd laughing at times upset me. He was amazing as a rock in roll pioneer. I loved that he went to school to study and learn to read and right. That's not funny it's important. This man was amazing and yes he started rock in roll. So what if he wore makeup and was gay. So what if he was flamboyant etc that was who he was. I mean a lot of legends were gay nobody cared. I just loved this man. He was talented, funny, beautiful and talented beyond words. We will never forget Richard.
His version of “One Day At a Time” is so country 😍 I love the boundless crossover between music genres. So much soul and sweetness and style 🤤 so good.
I've been looking for this comment. More country than queen B ever will be. No disparaging her, just facts. That's the very first thing I thought when he opened his mouth and started singing, "Now this is country".
Create in me am in full agreement with u this is the best i ever heard this song it tears my heart to pieces Rip little Richards first time ihear it from am playing it OVER and over
Completely agree, from the first note to the last it was the best version of this song that I’ve ever heard. And the words seem to match his struggles. RIP!
Fascinating person. Notice he doesn't laugh. Not even once. He's dead serious. He's a straight-talker. No BS. 100% confidence. He had to be in order to emotionally survive the prejudices
So much respect for this guy, with all the hurdles he had to overcome, being a black gay guy in Macon, Georgia, in the 1950s, and to still be so upbeat and grateful is really humbling.
Black people were the most homophobic people in America until identity politics came along, and ‘ protected groups’, you can read examples of this repulsive entitlement in the comments left here by black American women.
What an impressive person who had an incredible impact on music and so many huge musicians. Giving his time for something he believed in. Honest and direct responses. Friendly, kind, and as real as can be.
Several years ago I worked at a theater and they were having a round table discussion about music. Little Richard was on the bill and I got to talk to him. He is definitely a unique guy and was kind to all staff members. I never forgot that I was talking to one of the architects of Rock & Roll. He was actually very soft spoken behind the scenes.
He did influence the Beatles and many others who went on to become huge rock stars. We're all so used to outlandish behavior and claims by him that it's difficult to take him seriously, but he seems to be serious here and he certainly deserves credit for helping to found and influence everything related to rock music.
Tina Turner also influenced a lot of white rock and roll artists (ie Mick Jagger) as well. Many black artists were the ones to make good music first…the blues came before rock and roll.
This guy is absolutely amazing. Few people people transcend time, genre and limitation like this guy does. As a child I remember being absolutely filled with energy from his super cool music. Undeniable mastery. Rest In Peace. God bless.
I think he was still gay but wanted to try and get away from it. It's like richard Simmons now. I can tell he's depressed but his faith has kept him from being happy.
I went to a carismatic Catholic Church in NYC back in 1980's. I was stationed in Staton Island temporarily while in the Navy. I couldn't believe my eyes when Little Richard walked up to the front and began preaching! I was probably 19 years old and a young believer in Christ. Over the years I've told people about it and the gave me that, sure ya did, kinda look! Seeing this is reassuring... to me! 😊 As time goes by the memories fade, but this one came back like it was yesterday. God is good, all the time!
ALL GLORY TO ADONAI FOR HIS MERCY AND GRACE. IM GLAD TO SEE THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD CONVICTED RICHARD AND OPENED HIS EYES AND HEART BEFORE HE COULD DIE IN HIS SINS!! WE SERVE A GREAT G-D!!! SHALOM
LOL.. Richard was on top of the world in 1982. A legend. There were less challenges of the era for him than most as a consequence. He'd made it big long before this interview.
The studio audience or maybe canned response. Might have had someone holding a sign to tell a live audience to laugh or applaud. They should not have laughed at him. Clearly a musical genius way ahead of the times.
@@ArnoldZiffle-jw2mv No... he was genuinely funny. You and so many others in these comments have sadly had the humor brainwashed out of you, as you're unable to discern metaphor, hyperbole, and other subtlies like deadpan when they're clearing being used. Little Richard is speaking an entire different language than you're hearing. The audience gets it, you don't. I suggest learning yourself what things allowed them to understand LR and appreciate his humor.
He lets people know that God can deliver and save people… it still real prejudice everywhere in the United States again today… Jimmy Hendrix & James Brown…? I didn’t know that!
You know if you even hint of racism around racist white folks they start hollering. I don't speak in code around them fk em. White people owe black people cash reparations for slavery.
I met him in person at a concert he held in St Augustine. I loved it because it was a good mixture of old and young. I had a ball and he gave an explosive concert in a wheel chair. He told everyone he was not gay anymore and he even had 2 sons that were apart of his band one played the sax and the other bass. When I tell you super talented. The whole audience was shocked. I went back stage to meet him and his family and he signed a poster for me. He also gave me a book he had written. Super nice guy and one of the best concerts I've gone too.
Honestly when people say they are not gay anymore I’m pretty sure they were bisexual in denial… I’m a gay man and tried my best to change my sexuality but it’s impossible for someone like me. I even grew up in a religious background, had super religious parents and on top of that my parents would only let me hang out with my church friends who were all of course straight or at least some that I know of.. (who knows some of them could be closeted 🤷🏻♂️) And I would always envied those who say they were gay but changed to straight because honestly life would be so much easier for me if I was a straight man.. But throughout the years I’ve come to a conclusion and learned to accept and love who I am because I KNOW that I am born this way. That’s why when someone says they were gay but turned themselves straight, doesn’t make any sense to me because if they were “gay” then what are people like me? I’m pretty sure they were bisexual in denial for all I know. People need to stop calling them gay and making us look like we can change because that is not true at all.
He’s burning down in you know where because nobody ever told him what he was doing was filthy! You go right on respecting him. That won’t turn down the heat one degree.
@@tommytwogloves16he stated that he's turned his life over to the Lord... Who-do-you-think-you-are to judge.?? We were all born in sin and shapen in iniquity.. he said he's changed... Have you been born again?? I certainly have!! The Bible says judge not lest ye be judged...
Little Richard obviously has great comedic timing, and a lot of it is from his cadence when he speaks. But i think he has the burden that most stand up comedians have; even when he's dead serious, people think it's still part of an act
