Pop culture has never been a major influence in my life. I considered Little Richard a more visible sort of person but essentially rather like the black queens and trans figures that led up to Stonewall.
The law had changed (though not enough) in England and Wales (not yet in Scotland) when I was 20 (and at university in Scotland). My pol…
Pop culture has never been a major influence in my life. I considered Little Richard a more visible sort of person but essentially rather like the black queens and trans figures that led up to Stonewall.
The law had changed (though not enough) in England and Wales (not yet in Scotland) when I was 20 (and at university in Scotland). My politicism was directed at gay rights and changing public opinions and attitudes in the 70s. I was fascinated by his camp persona but not very impacted by his or any other pop music. (In my mid-teens I was attracted by the Beatles for a time.)
I can value him as a more visible part of the gay rights movement in the US.
By the time I was coming up—and out—in the 1980s and 1990s, Little Richard was as famous for his appearances on shows like Hollywood Squares as his music. He let himself be the butt of the joke. But the doc really helped me put that persona into perspective. And reminded me how he was an inspiration and mentor to so many musicians. Including the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Amazing how one flamboyant force of nature touched so many…and not just below the belt. lol
He definitely had it coming and going. His church connections likely kept him from true superstardom. I think he “quit” rock-n-roll at least twice when he tried to “straighten” up. Poor conflicted dear.
Pop culture has never been a major influence in my life. I considered Little Richard a more visible sort of person but essentially rather like the black queens and trans figures that led up to Stonewall.
The law had changed (though not enough) in England and Wales (not yet in Scotland) when I was 20 (and at university in Scotland). My politicism was directed at gay rights and changing public opinions and attitudes in the 70s. I was fascinated by his camp persona but not very impacted by his or any other pop music. (In my mid-teens I was attracted by the Beatles for a time.)
I can value him as a more visible part of the gay rights movement in the US.
By the time I was coming up—and out—in the 1980s and 1990s, Little Richard was as famous for his appearances on shows like Hollywood Squares as his music. He let himself be the butt of the joke. But the doc really helped me put that persona into perspective. And reminded me how he was an inspiration and mentor to so many musicians. Including the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Amazing how one flamboyant force of nature touched so many…and not just below the belt. lol
The details here make me regard him as very courageous given his internalised Fundamentalist homophobia.
He definitely had it coming and going. His church connections likely kept him from true superstardom. I think he “quit” rock-n-roll at least twice when he tried to “straighten” up. Poor conflicted dear.