Thrusting, fabulous and seemingly fearless, Little Richard can genuinely stake a claim on having invented rock ’n’ roll. A black artist who grew up in the segregated South, Richard Penniman broke down barriers and took 1950s America by storm.
The Beatles and The Rolling Stones supported him, and took inspiration from his musicianship and stagecraft. He went on to influence artists as diverse as David Bowie, Elton John, Michael Jackson and Prince.
But the inner conflict between his religious beliefs and the music style he pioneered - as well as his battles with his own sexuality - led Little Richard to quit rock ‘n’ roll not just once, but twice. He spent years feeling that his contribution to music had been overlooked in favour of white rock 'n' roll stars like Elvis Presley and Pat Boone.
Featuring stellar interviewees, including Ringo Starr, Keith Richards, Nile Rodgers and Big Freedia, alongside intimate contributions from friends and bandmates and the never-before-broadcast words of Little Richard himself, this feature-length documentary tells the story of a rollercoaster life; of musical highs and knuckle-biting lows, and makes the case that Richard should be crowned the king - and queen - of rock ‘n' roll.
Arena: Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock'n'Roll was commissioned by Lorna Clarke, Director of Music, BBC, for BBC Arena.
Confirmed for BBC Two on Saturday 22 April at 9.30pm.
