Little Richard: I Am Everything

Sometimes it takes a movie to help set the record straight. And, when it comes to designating who truly is the king of rock 'roll, this documentary from director Lisa Cortes does just that. Richard Wayne Penniman - professionally known as Little Richard (1932-2020) - burst onto the pop music scene in the mid-1950s with a singular, unrestrained, high-energy style that set him apart from other aspiring performers at the time, achieving tremendous success with hits like "Tutti Fruitti" and "Long Tall Sally," among others. However, even though he developed a strong following and a reputation for chart-busting releases, he never quite attained the widespread notoriety of others, like Elvis Presley and Pat Boone, particularly when they covered his hits. He also didn't achieve the financial success that he deserved, thanks to record labels that gave him raw deals. What's more, as a flamboyant, openly gay Black musician at a time when those qualities were far from well tolerated, he became a target for ostracism and scorn from conservative circles, whose leaders spouted inflammatory claims that he was undermining the moral fabric of traditional American culture with his "decadent" music and "perverted" lifestyle. Yet his blend of colorful performances, mixed with outlandish costumes, pancake makeup and frenetic stage antics and backed by tunes that fused boogie woogie, rhythm & blues and gospel, made him a standout, a style that countless artists drew from - and openly acknowledged his influence - when they emerged in their own right, many of whom are interviewed in the film in archive footage or recent conversations. The result here is a revelatory examination of someone who set a standard but who never received the degree of recognition he merited until many years after his debut on the music scene. "Little Richard: I Am Everything" features a wealth of historical footage, including many interviews with the artist himself, along with observations from the likes of Mick Jagger, Billy Porter, Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Nona Hendryx and superfan filmmaker John Watters, as well as an array of music industry, African-American and gay community historians. Viewers are likely to come away from this offering knowing a lot about Little Richard that they hadn't known previously, enabling them to gain a new appreciation for the rock icon and learning much about the many triumphs and challenges he faced during his colorfully enigmatic life. Audiences are sure to come away from this one proclaiming "Long live rock - and the king who finally gets to wear his much-deserved crown."

Little Richard was a much bigger icon than I ever knew.

Although I am a grown man, I became interested in pop music and popular culture many years after Little Richard had his "heyday". I also got bits and pieces of him, and sometimes he appears on TV and the like. No more.

This documentary highlights his central role in popular culture. In fact, without Little Richard, pop music might not have become what we know it as today.

The documentary shows him as a trailblazer and as an enormous inspiration for all who followed him. Unfortunately, he has little respect and recognition for his enormous efforts.

The documentary also gives us insight into his private life; both religion (which was central), sexual orientation and how friends perceived him.

Last but not least; lots of wonderful music here, and many clips of performances he did. Little Richard gave it his all when he was on stage, and the audience loved him. At a time when pop stars "come and go", it is liberating to get to know who paved the way for many of them.

I admit I was a bit apprehensive, an hour and forty one minutes to see a film about Little Richard. But the longer I watched the more invested I got. It may not be for all tastes but for all of us who appreciate music and its evolution, this is a great little film.

Little Richard was 13 when I was born, I grew up with the music of the 1950s and 1960s but was never a fan of his music. Not because he was black, Ray Charles, Johnny Mathis, and Nat 'King' Cole were among my favorites, I just never cared for Rock and Roll. It wasn't what I enjoyed listening to.

However, as we look back, and this film points out vividly, Little Richard, from Macon Georgia, was the spark that changed everything. He was the father of Rock and Roll. Not that he intended to, just by his own interests and creativity it came about. During a trip to England in the early 1960s he met up with some of his biggest fans, a little group of four, yet unrecorded, musicians who we now know as The Beatles. His musical influence is far and wide.

His life was a very rocky road and this film covers all that. He died just a few years ago, his legacy is solid.

At home, on DVD from my public library.

Thank you for recognizing one of the greatest musicians of all times. I believe that you did a wonderful job of chronicling the life of Richard Pinneman, however, one mistake was made that needs to be corrected and the public needs to know the truth. Near the beginning of the movie you showed a young boy playing a piano as little Richard. This is not true. This young man was and is Frank Isaac "Sugar Chile" Robinson, born 12/28/1938, and is still alive. That picture was taken from a 1946 movie that he was in with Van Johnson called "No Leave, No Love". He also recorded several albums between 1949 and 1952. Everyone always thinks that he is Little Richard. I would love to see this BLACK child prodigy get his proper respect.

This is a great and well done rockumentary. Little Richard was such a deeply complex and talented and conflicted individual. This movie, produced by CNN, captures very effectively the many facets of his life a career. Through archival footage, interviews old and new, and storytelling we learn about the musical influence of this trailblazer who impacted the Beatles, Otis Redding, The Rolling Stones, Elvis, Prince, Michael Jackson, and more. We also see the painful conflict regarding Little Richard's deeply complex relationship with himself-with his image, with his sexuality, and his relationship with God. This is a moving film. I loved it.