Little Richard - Still Rock and Rolling.

It's a cold January morning with the entire year ahead of us. Yikes! That's a daunting thought. So, let's start the day with a bit of Little Richard! Between his vocal histrionics, and one of the best left hands in show business, he should be able to get your blood pumping.

In this video he is doing "Long Tall Sally" from the 1956 film "Don't Knock the Rock." This man has influenced so many performers that it would be hard to name them all. From Elvis to the Beatles and the Stones; and all the way up through U2; Richard Penniman has left his mark on the world of music for generations to come. Even my grandchildren know him from Sesame Street and the video "Rubber Ducky."

Here are some other links to help you rock and roll a bit as you go about your daily routine.

This first one is from a 1950's television show. The song "Lucille" would become a signature of Little Richard's and rock and roll in general. It has been covered by too many artists to mention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3-OaNevkfg

This is a fun version of "Good Golly Miss Molly" with John Goodman in it;
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ6h0kyqSRk

And finally, here's a short version of "Rubber Ducky" from Sesame Street.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWCEG6lV0ek&feature=related

Note: If Little Richard can't get your motor started then you are probably past saving.

"Long Tall Sally" - Little Richard - Live (1956)

This is an outstanding live version of Little Richard performing “Long Tall Sally” on an American TV show from 1956. It’s pure raw rock and roll as only Little Richard could deliver it. Within about 7 more years the Beatles would intersect with Mr. Penniman and he would teach Paul McCartney how to sing this song at the Royal Variety Show for Queen Elizabeth.

Just prior to the show the Fab Four met with Little Richard who showed McCartney how to “ball up some saliva at the back of your throat” and just let it rip! McCartney took the advice and “Ripped It Up” that night and even a few weeks later on Swedish television when he gave the best performance of this song by the Beatles. Just watch Ringo beat the hell out of those drums, and then catch the expression on the face of the emcee as he tries to cope with something he has never experienced before. Beatlemania was about to go worldwide.

Frank "Sugar Chile" Robinson

I ran across this while looking for something else. Frank Robinson is often mistakenly identified as a young Little Richard Penniman. He is not. But his story is unique.

Frank Robinson was born in 1938 in Detroit. He was a child prodigy by age two, later working with such luminaries as Lionel Hampton and Frankie Carle, who were master pianists themselves. He performed for President Truman at age seven and also appeared in the movie "No Leave, No Love" with Keenan Wynn the following year in 1946 when he was eight years old. This clip is from that film.

He is most remembered for his versions of "Numbers Boogie", which shot to #4, and the classic blues number "Caledonia", which reached #14. By 1952, at the age of 14, he stopped playing professionally to concentrate on his schoolwork. He is quoted in Wikipedia as having said in later years, "I wanted to go to school... I wanted some school background in me and I asked my Dad if I could stop, and I went to school because I honestly wanted my college diploma."

He went on to earn his Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Michigan, before returning briefly to the music business, setting up new labels in Detroit during the 1960's.

Still very much alive, Mr. Robinson made an appearance promoting Detroit music in 2002, and later, in 2009, he traveled to England to appear in a rock and roll revival concert.