CHARLES WHITE – The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Authorized Biography (2024 Edition)

Sporting a brand-new cover as well as a comprehensive overview of Richard’s recorded works and photos from the rock ‘n’ roll pioneer’s own archive but containing the same fast-paced and captivating story, this edition of the classic The Life and Times of Little Richard has lost none of its power to thrill and excite over the years and it is hardly difficult to see why it has been so cherished and highly rated ever since its first publication in 1984. What I am really getting at here is that Richard leaves few stones unturned throughout and that hearing him tell his story and put some of the most pivotal and important events of his life into perspective is akin to listening to his superbly crafted and rather saucy songs; you had better buckle up, wear a helmet, and make sure that you never lose focus for just one second lest you should miss out on some of the most revealing and candid parts of the narrative. Everything is laid bare throughout this intriguing and somewhat intense, no-holds-barred journey that ties every aspect and nuance of a rather complex soul and his endeavors and experiences together in a vivid manner. The enthusiasm and the honesty that course through the book add a vivacious quality to it, and its tone and language almost become an embodiment of its main character right there on the very page in front of you. Action-packed in every sense of the word, full of tales involving debauchery and excess, the moral conflicts that wrestled within Richard as he fluctuated between religion and the religion of rock music, the people who inspired him, the events that shaped him, and the rousing magic of channeling every fiber of passion into an awe-inspiring, memorable rock ‘n’ roll show in front of a rapturous audience and how addictive that is – this biography touches on and delivers all of that and much more.

White’s book on the icon perfectly captures the wild spirit and frantic energy of Little Richard’s persona, his rich and influential musical legacy, and the overall cultural significance of this most electrifying and charismatic of performers and songwriters. No wonder David Bowie loved this book so much.