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Little Richard

Rock and roll's pioneer is a queer, Southern Black man

Left: Lisa Cortés, Photographer: Paul Morejon. Right: Little Richard, Source: Magnolia Pictures. Paul Morejon/Magnolia Pictures hide caption

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Paul Morejon/Magnolia Pictures

It's Been a Minute

Rock and roll's pioneer is a queer, Southern Black man

When you think of rockstar royalty, a queer, Southern Black man normally doesn't come to mind. But director Lisa Cortés wants us all to reconsider that thought. Her documentary, Little Richard: I Am Everything, takes viewers through the life and legacy of one of the most influential men in music - Little Richard.

Rock and roll's pioneer is a queer, Southern Black man

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CNN's new Little Richard documentary is a worthy tribute to the rock 'n' roll legend

The new documentary Little Richard: I Am Everything premieres Monday Sept. 4. Above, Little Richard performs in 1975. Angela Deane-Drummond/vening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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Angela Deane-Drummond/vening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Review

TV Reviews

CNN's new Little Richard documentary is a worthy tribute to the rock 'n' roll legend

Little Richard: I Am Everything focuses on the star's roots in — and struggle with — his connection to queer culture. TV critic Eric Deggans says it's a masterpiece.

CNN's new Little Richard documentary is a worthy tribute to the rock 'n' roll legend

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Message Music: 3 Artists Who Performed With 'Pride'

Little Richard, ca. 1957 Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Message Music: 3 Artists Who Performed With 'Pride'

WXPN

In honor of Pride month, Michael Mwenso highlights three artists who expressed their individuality, gender and sexual identities with freedom.

Message Music with Micahel Mwesno - Pride Month

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How Queer Tastemakers, Movers And Shakers Shaped The Music Of New Orleans

Big Freedia, shown performing in 2019 in New Orleans, is part of our starter kit for the queer music of New Orleans. Paras Griffin/Getty Images, hide caption

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Paras Griffin/Getty Images,

Music Lists

How Queer Tastemakers, Movers And Shakers Shaped The Music Of New Orleans

No single lineage can contain New Orleans music. But one central thread is the legacy of queer performers and tastemakers — from Bobby Marchan to Big Freedia — who steered the sounds and the scenes.

Little Richard's Life In 10 Songs

Little Richard photographed in 1966. AP hide caption

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AP

All Songs Considered

Little Richard's Life In 10 Songs

On this special edition of All Songs Considered, we look back at the life of rock and roll pioneer Little Richard through 10 of the defining songs of his career.

Little Richard's Life In 10 Songs

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Little Richard, The 'King And Queen' Of Rock And Roll, Dead At 87

Singer Little Richard making peace sign and wearing an outlandish outfit as he prepares to perform at Wembley Stadium, 1972. (Photo by Rosemary Matthews/Keystone Features/Getty Images) Rosemary Matthews/Getty Images hide caption

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Obituaries

Little Richard, The 'King And Queen' Of Rock And Roll, Dead At 87

Little Richard was an explosive performer who inspired generations of musicians from Otis Redding to The Beatles to David Bowie. He died Saturday morning.

Little Richard, The 'King And Queen' Of Rock And Roll, Dead At 87

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'Good Booty' Explores A Century Of Music, Sex And American Culture

Little Richard performs during a halftime show at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn., on Dec. 31, 2004. Andy Lyons/Getty Images hide caption

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Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Author Interviews

'Good Booty' Explores A Century Of Music, Sex And American Culture

Critic Ann Powers embarks on a wide-ranging history of pop music in America in her new book Good Booty: Love and Sex, Black and White, Body and Soul in American Music.

'Good Booty' Explores A Century Of Music, Sex And American Culture

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