The King & Queen of Rock 'n' Roll

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Little Richard 1932-2020
    The King & Queen are dead, long live their Majesties. I should  write a piece about this extraordinary man, but plenty of others are doing a better job than I can. So, I thought I'd put a little something down about one of his main influences: Sister Rosetta Tharpe, whom we should have seen at Birmingham Town Hall in 1970 as part of the revue that was 'The American Folk, Blues and Gospel Festival'. Unfortunately, she was too ill to travel at the time, having suffered a stroke and the  subsequent amputation of a leg due to diabetes. She died less than three years later in 1973, aged only 58, after a second stroke.
    This YouTube video of 'This Train' showcases what a performer she was and illustrates the influence she had on the stage presence of Little Richard. A great singer and a bloody good guitar player, so she was. I'm still disappointed to this day I didn't have the opportunity to see her live, and swear that if Church had been like that at City Road Methodist, I'd probably still be going. And isn't this the best picture of the man you've ever seen?


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