Charles White (1)

The first pages aren’t encouraging, limited to fawning exaggerations about Richard’s crucial impact on modern culture, with every sentence over-the-top and adjective-laden. Fortunately transcribed reminiscences from Richard, family and friends soon take over, and the exaggerations appear mainly in the mouth of Little Richard. This is a rich and candid narrative full of names, events, behaviours and impressions that really paint a picture of his character and circumstances and what he show more made of them. show less

To say that Little Richard is an interesting character is an understatement. If he's not the King of Rock 'n' Roll then Richard is the clown prince. In "The life and times of Little Richard" he doesn't hold anything back and while it's been 25 years since I read this I still have stark memories of some of the things he got up to.

Little Richard is also candid about his sexuality here, but you can tell he is a conflicted man (how much of which is due to religion I can't say) but it does seem show more odd that he was offended when John Lennon farted in his presence, yet admits that he once crapped in a box, wrapped it and gave to an elderly neighbour as a present. show less

One of a number of Jerry Lee Lewis autobiographies/biographies now available, "Killer" marks its difference by mixing up paragraphs by Jerry Lee, with biographical sections by White.

We get Lewis's take on his youth and family, and one can't help but have your mind boggled at his stories of bigamous marriages and children while still a child himself.

We also get contributions from people like Jerry Lee's sisters Linda Gail and Frankie Jean, cousins Mickey Gilley and Jimmy Lee Swaggert and Myra show more Williams, who will never escape being known as Myra Lewis, the thirteen year old cousin and bride of the Killer. As referred to in the book, Jerry Lee Lewis's life is a mixture of Shakespeare ad Tennessee Williams and, while not the best book on the Killer, perhaps the closest to Jerry Lee's heart.

And then there is the interesting titbit that Jerry Lee thought about running for Governor of Louisiana, on the platform of creating a huge wildlife reserve. Who knew the Killer was such a greenie? show less

Charles White takes the bulk of his material directly from interviews with Little Richard--as well as his band mates, managers, family, and lovers--and creates an essential portrait of the King (and Queen) of Rock 'n Roll. Pulling no punches, when interviewed Little Richard is frank (to the point of potentially offending some sensibilities) about the life he led and eventually left. Highly recommended reading for anyone interested in rock music, this was one of the most enjoyable rock show more portraits I've read in years. show less