[(The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Authorised Biography )] [Author: Charles White] [Aug-2003] Paperback – 1 Aug. 2003

Its difficult to know who was the real king of rock n roll, Richard has a strong claim and this book explains his colourful life. If you were a teenager when RnR came into being this will probably be a good read for you.

As has been pointed out, a new in-depth book on Little Richard is long overdue. In the meantime this one makes for highly entertaining reading, dependent though it is on Richard's own memoirs rather than academic research.The emphasis is very much on his wild life style and sexual preferences. If you trainspotter through some of the interviews on Youtube you can find a little more about his early life, the gospel singers who initially inspired him, and the night club performers and pimps who influenced him. But one has to take much of what he says with a large pinch of salt. For example, was he really offered 50% of the Beatles by Brian Epstein? No way would that have ever been on the cards.It goes without saying that Little Richard is an important figure in the history of pop and the start of Rock n Roll, albeit that reputation stands on the excellence of maybe half a dozen singles. Excellent voice, mesmerizing performer, but rather a one-trick-pony where song writing was concerned. So this book should be read as a kind of companion piece to your Little Richard Greatest Hits collection rather than one which offers exacting historical data or analysis. In that way it's an entertaining ride.

Stunningly revelatory, rip-roaringly hilarious account of one of rock's greatest pioneers. Astonishingly vivid, uproariously entertaining, gasp-inducing account of his early life and subsequent explosive effect on music. Could not recommend more highly - ranks with Guralnick's books on Elvis and Tosches on Jerry Lee Lewis.

Not ready to comment yet. Can further comment when I have read the book.

Everything you could ever want to know about one of the original 50's rock'n'rollers. Towards the end Richard's very immature views (since repudiated, apparently) on homosexuality and extremely tedious Bible bashing make this a book to skim through very quickly.It's a very thorough and detailed reference on his music, however.

Very good read, recommended

I was always a fan of Little Richard back in the late 50's, early 60's, but after trying to read this trash I've gone off him. What a pathetic bigoted, big headed pervert he is. Tried to read it, but gave up after just over halfway through. According to him he taught all the other stars to sing and they all copied him, including the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee and many many more. What a load of rubbish, considering he only had one number one record.Take my advice, don't bother with it.

Although I accept that Little Richard was one of a number of great, very influential 50s rock and roll singers I was not convinced that this book really presented compelling evidence of that or told Richard's story in an ordered, coherent manner. Since it was written in 1984 I think that the standard of rock music biographies has increased many fold and I'm afraid that this book isn't in the same league as books like Guralnick's Elvis biographies and Michael Lyndon's biography of Ray Charles. Those books are based on exhaustive research or have perceptive analysis - both of which seem lacking here.The book is compiled from memories of Richard himself, comments by colleagues and contemporaries including Art Rupe, Bumps Blackwell etc and also Charles White's own observations. Richard's own comments are particularly interesting regarding his childhood (which was relatively affluent compared to many black entertainers), they are also honest in relation to the titillating details of his sex life but at other times you have to take his pronouncements with a pinch of salt. Similarly comments by contemporaries can be self-serving and are obviously influenced by hindsight. This is when you would like White to to pass judgement but that judgement never comes and we are left to make our own minds up. I did find the book engaging in that Richard is obviously a very interesting man who was very different to other black and white rock and roll singers of the time. In many ways I think that a more revealing and truer picture of the man could emerge from a well-researched, unauthorised biography as I think that Charles White was too much of a Little Richard fan to produce an unbiased, critical account of Richard's life.

Great Book

I love Little Richard. Long before all this LGBT stuff Little Richard was out of the closet and out there in real life laying the ground for everything from 80's glam rock to David Bowie and beyond. The gay community is going to hate what he had to say since he can't decide if he wants to be the king of rock and roll, the queen of rock and roll or an entertaining born again preacher.He comes all out with it, warts and all with a totality that can't be denied. I love this guy....

This 2003 release is the third version of Charles White’s original 1985 book, “The Quasar of Rock.” There was also a second release in 1994. The content of each version is the same, with only scant and cursory updates in the preface section. The obvious changes among versions include the title and the physical size of the books. This latest edition has the smallest dimensions, which is reflected in the print – so have your readers handy! Thankfully, there are at least different pictures among the printings – although, curiously Leva Mae Penniman’s picture (Richard’s mother) has been removed from this version’s dedication page.Before the Internet and all the social media, fans were dependent on print material to learn more about their favorite celebrity. Such was the case for the original 1985 release. From this source the world not only learned about his career path, but also his personal struggles with substance abuse, as well as between the spiritual and carnal – often in blushing detail! Related, given Richard’s unique proclivities for physical satisfaction, it’s a good thing cell phones did not exist during his hey-day. Had people of the time known what he was up to, his career might have been swiftly extinguished.White’s biography is the standard for information about Little Richard. Other authors writing about Richard after 1985 use White as a source. The original 1985 release helped propel a comeback of sorts for Little Richard. He was soon to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and he was making more appearances in film and TV, as well as contributing to the occasional soundtrack.Fortunately for White, in 1985 the major personalities in Richard’s life were still among the living. In addition to Richard’s comments, White was able to obtain quotes from Richard’s mother, his siblings, Art Rupe, Lee Angel, Ernestine Campbell, Bumps Blackwell, Quincy Jones, Billy Preston, former band members, and a host of others. However, one glaring omission is Richard’s son, Danny.For all that is included in the White’s book, a particular frustration I have is the lack of source information, as well as end notes. This is helpful to know when, where, and how White obtained his information. For all we know, Richard and the others could have simply recorded their stories and White transcribed them. There is no probing, no follow-up questions, and merely transitional commentary by White between episodes. The results leave us with great stories, but little personal subtext to understand Richard’s motivation, thought processes, and feelings.An acknowledged example of printing a transcript comes from the chapter entitled, “From Rock ‘n’ Roll to The Rock of Ages.” The chapter contains comments Richard delivered as an evangelist. Given other detailed and salacious examples of Richard’s less than righteous “dalliances” this segment is a curious and sharp contrast. In this edition, White provides explanation that Richard was adamant that this section be include in the book.Another frustration I have with the subsequent versions is the lack of new information. If the author and publisher made the time and effort to re-release virtually the same book, why not include updated material? It seems opportunities have been missed since 1985 to keep Richard’s story current. Now he is gone, as are many of the significant people in his life.Regardless of which version your read (they’re all the same), this is the literary source that all others refer to. It’s a revealing, informative, and sometimes shocking account of a person trying to reconcile his talents and beliefs all while the world is watching. That’s what one gets being a quasar.

Little Richard was much more than a singer. He was an entertainer the likes we havent seen in years. This is a fabulous look at his life. He is brutally honest with himself and I have tons of respect for him after reading this. Its a great read.

Like the Entire book!, on so many dimensions. Always be a BIG FAN and same with Jerry Lee Lewis!