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American Masters

The king and queen of rock 'n' roll—and Sunset Boulevard

By 1985, Little Richard had abandoned rock 'n' roll and was living in a hotel in L.A.

Aired 06/02/2023

American Masters

The king and queen of rock 'n' roll—and Sunset Boulevard

Clip: 6/2/2023 | 1m 33sVideo has Closed Captions

By 1985, Little Richard had abandoned rock 'n' roll and was living in a hotel in L.A.

By 1985, Little Richard had abandoned rock 'n' roll, the music genre that he helped pioneer in the 1950s, and was living in a hotel in Los Angeles. "He would embrace people and they would ask him to sign autographs ... He would just wanna ride," said Ron Jones, his bandmate and friend.

Aired 06/02/2023

Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

Big Freedia on Little Richard, music and the queer community

Video has Closed Captions

Artist Big Freedia reflects on the similarities between herself and Little Richard. (13m 48s)

Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Video has Closed Captions

Experience the meteoric rise and enduring legacy of Little Richard. (28s)

Little Richard preaches the gospel

Video has Closed Captions

Little Richard had a fervid relationship with religion. (2m)

The origins of "Tutti Frutti"

Video has Closed Captions

Little Richard first originated the famous refrain in "Tutti Frutti" at the Dew Drop Inn. (1m 41s)

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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

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