Studio albums 15 Compilation albums 1 | Live albums 3 Singles 37 | |
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This page is a discography for rock and roll musician Little Richard. He began his recording career in 1951, signing to RCA Victor, and moved to Peacock Records in 1953. He attained international success after signing with Specialty Records in 1955.
Contents
- The pre Specialty sessions
- The Specialty sessions
- The Goldner sessions
- The Little Star sessions
- The Mercury sessions
- The Atlantic sessions
- The return to Specialty
- The Vee Jay sessions
- The Modern sessions
- The Okeh sessions
- The Brunswick sessions
- The Reprise sessions
- Miscellaneous sessions
- Compilation albums
- Label overviews
- References
The pre-Specialty sessions
RCA sessions: WGST Studio, Atlanta, October 16, 1951, and January 12, 1952
Peacock sessions: Houston, February 25 and October 5, 1953
The Specialty sessions
Little Richard recorded the demonstration tape for Specialty at WBML Studio, Macon, on February 9, 1955.
He was recording for Specialty during two years, from September 13, 1955, to October 18, 1957.
The recording sessions Little Richard cut for Specialty are among the most important (and enjoyable) in the history of pop music.
When Richard abdicated from Rock 'n' Roll in late 1957, Specialty was forced to go back to earlier, less rock-oriented recordings they had rejected initially to make future releases. In an effort to make these bluesy recordings sound "current", they added a female chorus (and in at least one instance, extra instrumentation) to the basic track.
The Goldner sessions
Several religious cuts were recorded around September 1959 in New York City and released by different labels owned by (or associated with) record industry mogul George Goldner (End, Goldisc, Coral, Spin O Rama, etc.). The recordings are considered miserable, and three record labels with access to the "dirgelike" cuts overdubbed drums and other percussion to fill out the sound. However, the best of these recordings exude a purity and commitment not always found on Richard's later recordings.
The Little Star sessions
Little Richard recorded four rhythm and blues songs backed by his band, the Upsetters, on November 24, 1962, in New York. Two singles were released by Little Star under the name "The World Famous Upsetters".
The Mercury sessions
Little Richard was working for Mercury from June 1961 to March 1962. These excellent recordings have been produced by Quincy Jones and Bumps Blackwell.
The Atlantic sessions
The recordings made for Atlantic from June 14, 1962, to April 2, 1963, continue Richard's commitment to religious material.
The return to Specialty
In the wake of the "British Invasion" and following a successful tour of England, Richard collected his current guitarist (Glen Willings), the drummer from his New Orleans sessions (Earl Palmer), and old labelmates Don and Dewey and returned to Specialty to start his comeback.
He recorded five titles (including "Well Alright" and "Bama Lama Bama Loo") in two sessions in March and April 1964, next issued on the compilation Well Alright!.
The Vee Jay sessions
Charles White wrote in 1984: "Even with access to the Vee Jay files, information is a bit uncertain in some areas... Of most importance to latter-day rock fans are the cuts that Jimi Hendrix played on, as a member of Richard's touring band. We have singled out those tracks we are relatively sure have Hendrix involvement, although he may have appeared on others."
Little Richard was recording for Vee Jay from June 1964 to at least May-June 1965. (Vee Jay Executive Betty Chiapetta reported in 1982, that Richard recorded several instrumentals for the label). According to Charles White, Jimi Hendrix was playing guitar at least on the first session including such titles as "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On", "Hound Dog", "Lawdy Miss Clawdy", "Money Honey", "Goodnight Irene" and others, released on the album Little Richard Is Back. Hendrix played on at least 9 cuts on the second LR Vee Jay album, of '50s remakes. Critics have lauded the Richard-Hendrix songs "I Don't Know What You've Got (But It's Got Me)", a Soul hit in late 1965, and "Dancing All Around The World" (aka "Dance A Go Go") and "You'd Better Stop", recorded in New York City May or June, '65; the latter two breaking through many years later on various compilations.
The Modern sessions
Little Richard was recording for the Modern from December 1965 to January 1966.
The Modern recordings are demos, studio warm-ups, tapes supplied by Richard, and actual Modern sessions. Two albums were issued, all tracks of the first one The Incredible Little Richard Sings His Greatest Hits - Live! have an overdubbed audience to enhance a live show(s) done at the Domino, a club in Atlanta, Georgia, December 1st, 1965.
There are at least five tracks still unreleased. Two songs are leftovers from Vee Jay, an extended version of "Groovy Little Suzy" and a studio version of "Slippin' and Slidin'".
The Okeh sessions
Excellent, soul-oriented recordings and a superb, in-studio-with-audience live set highlight Richard's Okeh period from February 5, 1966, to May 17, 1967 at Hollywood and (in December 1966) at Abbey Road Studios.
The Brunswick sessions
Richard recorded for Brunswick six titles in 1967-68. Three singles have been released. It appears a live album, "Little Richard Sings At The Aladdin" was planned. It is not found in the Brunswick files.
The Reprise sessions
The Reprise era was the peak of Richard's comeback, highlighted by numerous television talk-show appearances. The sessions took place from March 11, 1970, to April 1972.
Miscellaneous sessions
Little Richard recorded three titles for the film Let the Good Times Roll circa late 1972, for United Records in January 1973, and for other labels in 1973–75. He re-recorded his mid-50s and mid-60s Specialty hits for K-tel in 1976. In 1979 he recorded the gospel album God's Beautiful City, issued by Word Records. In 1985 and 1986, he recorded the album Lifetime Friend, issued by Warner Bros. in 1986.