The story of the black, gay origins of rock n' roll. It explodes the whitewashed canon of American pop music to reveal the innovator – the originator – Richard Penniman. Through a wealth of archive and performance that brings us into Richard's complicated inner world, the film unspools the icon's life story with all its switchbacks and contradictions.
Directed by Lisa Cortés
artists' life
biography
rhythm and blues (r&b)
black singer
eccentric artist
gospel singer
portrait of an artist
r&b artist
artistic revolution
male pianist
egocentric artists
gay artist
life and career
homosexual
revolutionary singer
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.6 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Little Richard
Self (archive footage)
John Waters
Self
Mick Jagger
Self
Billy Porter
Self
Tom Jones
Self
Paul McCartney
Self (archive footage)
Nona Hendryx
Self
Nile Rodgers
Self
Alan Freed
Self (archive footage)
Elvis Presley
Self (archive footage)
Pat Boone
Self (archive footage)
John Lennon
Self (archive voice)
Crew
Lisa Cortés
Director
Tamar-kali
Original Music Composer
Liz Yale Marsh
Producer
Dee Rees
Executive Producer
Lisa Cortés
Producer
Hunter Hanson
Music Editor
Popular Reviews
19 reviews
Jack Davidson
8.0★ · 04/22/25
all forms of music nowadays can be traced back to little richard and the fact he didnt get his flowers until so late in life breaks my heart
all forms of music nowadays can be traced back to little richard and the fact he didnt get his flowers until so late in life breaks my heart
Gail
7.0★ · 01/26/25
Holding space for the lyrics "wop-bop-a-loo-mop, alop-bom-bom" Legend!
Holding space for the lyrics "wop-bop-a-loo-mop, alop-bom-bom" Legend!
leifmovie23
7.0★ · 09/05/24
Sorry Elvis
Sorry Elvis
Douglas Lancaster
8.8★ · 06/14/23
So damn good! Not only is it about his life but the historical aspect of racism, music, queerness and his open gayness is wow!
So damn good! Not only is it about his life but the historical aspect of racism, music, queerness and his open gayness is wow!
