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Little Richard preaches the gospel
Clip: 6/2/2023 | 2mVideo has Closed Captions
Little Richard had a fervid relationship with religion.
Little Richard had a fervid relationship with religion, and even quit rock and roll music for religion once in 1957, only to return years later. He was regularly preaching in 1984, claiming that his days "should be spent now, at the age of 52, spreading the gospel."
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...
![American Masters](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/FgDyXIn-white-logo-41-8ZBpyZC.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
Little Richard preaches the gospel
Clip: 6/2/2023 | 2mVideo has Closed Captions
Little Richard had a fervid relationship with religion, and even quit rock and roll music for religion once in 1957, only to return years later. He was regularly preaching in 1984, claiming that his days "should be spent now, at the age of 52, spreading the gospel."
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A front row seat to the creative process
How do today’s masters create their art? Each episode an artist reveals how they brought their creative work to life. Hear from artists across disciplines, like actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, singer-songwriter Jewel, author Min Jin Lee, and more on our podcast "American Masters: Creative Spark."Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(choir singing upbeat gospel music) (congregation cheering) - He was the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
Now he's a child of the King.
Let's welcome and receive the one and only, brother Little Richard.
Come on!
(congregation applauding) - I didn't come here to preach, I came here just to talk to you.
And I'm not that type of preacher, I know you probably figured that I was gonna start moaning and groaning.
(people laughing) My granddaddy used to do that and kill me when he'd get to the house.
(people laughing) Yes, my granddaddy would get down on Sunday morning ♪ Mmmmmm!
♪ Sister said, go on and tell it, preacher!
♪ Whoaaaah!
♪ Said, go on and tell it!
♪ Myyyyy!
♪ Said, go on and say!
♪ Hey-Hey-Hey!
♪ Said, go on and preach it!
(people clapping) And sister go ♪ My, my, my ♪ Said, tell it!
♪ Whoaaah!
♪ Tell it!
♪ Hey!
♪ Tell it!
♪ Woo!
♪ Tell it!
He ain't told 'em nothing yet.
(congregation laughing) I'm an Evangelist now.
I feel high all the time but I don't take anything.
I just don't have a desire.
I think that my days should be spent now, at the age of 52, spreading the gospel.
Well, the Bible said, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Or what shall a man give God."
- It's sweet hearing his voice.
The first time I saw him administer the gospel, I just knew this was, this was an incredible guy.
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Artist Big Freedia reflects on the similarities between herself and Little Richard. (13m 48s)
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By 1985, Little Richard had abandoned rock 'n' roll and was living in a hotel in L.A. (1m 33s)
Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll
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Experience the meteoric rise and enduring legacy of Little Richard. (28s)
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Little Richard first originated the famous refrain in "Tutti Frutti" at the Dew Drop Inn. (1m 41s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSupport 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...