When Little Richard first burst upon the music scene in the 1950s, people weren't sure what to think. They had never seen anything quite like this flamboyant character as he wildly pounded on the piano. But it didn't take long before they fell in love with his raspy voice, outrageous personality, and defiant and uninhibited music that made them want to kick their shoes off and dance the night away. Little did they know that this pioneer, who came from a poor area of Macon, Georgia, would one day be heralded as the Architect of Rock and Roll. Little Richard blew the lid off music considered taboo by bigots who called it "race music." He ignored the critics and created songs that appealed to young people worldwide. With such classics as "Tutti Frutti," "Long Tall Sally," and "Good Golly, Miss Molly," Little Richard defined the essence of rock and roll and influenced countless musicians for generations, from rock to hip-hop and beyond. Book jacket.