Little Richard discography

Little Richard discography

Little Richard performing in Austin, Texas, in March 2007
Studio albums 15
Live albums 3
Compilation albums 1
Singles 37

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.

Recording sessions

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:[1] "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.

Singles

Date Side Title Label
Cat. no.
Chart positions Album
US Charts US R&B chart US AC UK Singles Chart[2]
Nov.
1951
A "Taxi Blues" RCA Victor
20/47-4392
Little Richard (Camden album)
B "Every Hour"
Feb.
1952
A "Get Rich Quick" RCA Victor
20/47-4582
B "Thinkin' 'Bout My Mother"
May
1952
A "Ain't Nothin' Happenin'" RCA Victor
20/47-4772
B "Why Did You Leave Me"
Nov.
1952
A "Please Have Mercy on Me" RCA Victor
20/47-5025
B "I Brought It All on Myself"
June
1953
A "Ain't That Good News"
(credit: Duces of Rhythm and Tempo Toppers, lead Little Richard)
Peacock
1616
Hey Baby, Don't You Want a Man Like Me?
B "Fool at the Wheel"
(credit: Duces of Rhythm and Tempo Toppers, lead Little Richard)
March
1954
A "Always"
(credit: Tempo Toppers feat. Little Richard)
Peacock
5-1628
B "Rice, Red Beans and Turnip Greens"
(credit: Tempo Toppers feat. Little Richard)
Oct.
1955
A "Tutti-Frutti" Specialty
561
17 2 29 Here's Little Richard
B "I'm Just a Lonely Guy" The Fabulous Little Richard
March
1956
A "Long Tall Sally" Specialty
572
6 1 3 Here's Little Richard
B "Slippin' and Slidin'" 33 2
April
1956
A "Little Richard's Boogie"
(with Johnny Otis' band)
Peacock
5-1658
Hey Baby, Don't You Want a Man Like Me?
B "Directly from My Heart to You"
(with Johnny Otis' band)
June
1956
A "Rip It Up" Specialty
579
17 1 30 Here's Little Richard
B "Ready Teddy" 44 8
Oct.
1956
A "Heeby-Jeebies" Specialty
584
7 Little Richard
B "She's Got It" 9 15 Here's Little Richard
Dec.
1956
A "The Girl Can't Help It" Specialty
591
49 7 9 Little Richard
B "All Around the World" 13
Feb.
1957
A "Lucille" Specialty
598
21 1 10
B "Send Me Some Lovin'" 54 3
June
1957
A "Jenny, Jenny" Specialty
606
10 2 11 Here's Little Richard
B "Miss Ann" 56 6
July
1957
A "Maybe I'm Right"
(with Johnny Otis' band)
Peacock
1673
Hey Baby, Don't You Want a Man Like Me?
B "I Love My Baby"
(with Johnny Otis' band)
Aug.
1957
A "Keep A-Knockin'" Specialty
611
8 2 21 Little Richard
B "Can't Believe You Wanna Leave" Here's Little Richard
Jan.
1958
A "Good Golly, Miss Molly" Specialty
624
10 4 8 Little Richard
B "Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!"
May
1958
A "Ooh! My Soul" Specialty
633
31 15 22
B "True Fine Mama" 68 Here's Little Richard
July
1958
A "Baby Face" Specialty
645
41 12 2 Little Richard
B "I'll Never Let You Go (Boo Hoo Hoo Hoo)"
Nov.
1958
A "She Knows How to Rock" Specialty
652
The Fabulous Little Richard
B "Early One Morning"
March
1959
A "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" Specialty
660
17 Little Richard
B "Wonderin'" Well Alright!
April
1959
A "Kansas City" Specialty
664
95 26 The Fabulous Little Richard
B "Lonesome and Blue"
June
1959
A "Shake a Hand" Specialty
670
B "All Night Long"
Aug.
1959
A "Whole Lotta Shakin'" Specialty
680
B "Maybe I'm Right"
Aug.
1959
A "I Got It" Specialty
681
single only
B "Baby" Here's Little Richard
Sep.
1959
A "Save Me Lord" End
1057
Pray Along with Little Richard (Vol 2)
B "Troubles of the World"
Sep.
1959
A "Milky White Way" End
1058
Pray Along with Little Richard (Vol 1)
B "I've Just Come from the Mountain"
1959 A "Directly from My Heart to You" Specialty
686
The Fabulous Little Richard
B "The Most I Can Offer"
Sep.
1961
A "He's Not Just a Soldier" Mercury
71884
113 The King of the Gospel Singers
B "Joy Joy Joy"
Jan.
1962
A "Ride On, King Jesus" Mercury
71911
B "Do You Care"
May
1962
A "He Got What He Wanted (But He Lost What He Had)" Mercury
71965
38 single only
B "Why Don't You Change Your Ways"
Dec.
1962
A "I'm in Love Again"
(credit: The World Famous Upsetters)
Little Star
123
B "Every Night About This Time"
(credit: The World Famous Upsetters)
Feb.
1963
A "Crying in the Chapel" Atlantic
2181
119
B "Hole in the Wall"
May
1963
A "Traveling Shoes" Atlantic
2192
B "It Is No Secret"
Oct.
1963
A "Milky White Way" Coral
62366
Pray Along with Little Richard (Vol 1)
B "Need Him"
1963 A "Valley of Tears"
(credit: The World Famous Upsetters)
Little Star
128
single only
B "Freedom Ride"
(credit: The World Famous Upsetters)
April
1964
A "Bama Lama Bama Loo" Specialty
692
82 82 20 Well Alright!
B "Annie Is Back" single only
Aug.
1964
A "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" Vee Jay
VJ 612
126 Little Richard is Back (And There's a Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On!)
B "Goodnight Irene" 128
Nov.
1964
A "Blueberry Hill" Vee Jay
VJ 625
B "Cherry Red"
Feb.
1965
A "Cross Over" Vee Jay
VJ-652
single only
B "It Ain't Whatcha Do (It's the Way How You Do It)"
June
1965
A "Without Love" Vee Jay
VJ-665
B "Dance What You Wanna"
Oct.
1965
A "I Don't Know What You've Got But It's Got Me - Part I" Vee Jay
VJ-698
92 12
B "I Don't Know What You've Got But It's Got Me - Part II" 92 12
Jan.
1966
A "Holy Mackerel" Modern
45xM 1018
The Wild and Frantic Little Richard
B "Baby, Don't You Want a Man Like Me"
Feb.
1966
A "Do You Feel It (Part 1)" Modern
45xM 1019
The Incredible Little Richard Sings His Greatest Hits - Live!
B "Do You Feel It (Part 2)"
June
1966
A "Poor Dog (Who Can't Wag His Own Tail)" Okeh
4-7251
121 41 The Explosive Little Richard
B "Well"
July
1966
A "Directly from My Heart" Modern
45xM 1022
The Wild and Frantic Little Richard
B "I'm Back"
Nov.
1966
A "I Need Love" Okeh
4-7262
The Explosive Little Richard
B "The Commandments of Love"
Jan.
1967
A "I Don't Want to Discuss It" Okeh
4-7271
B "Hurry Sundown"
Feb.
1967
A "Get Down with It" CBS (UK)
8116
single only
B "Rosemary"
March
1967
A "Don't Deceive Me" Okeh
4-7278
The Explosive Little Richard
B "Never Gonna Let You Go"
June
1967
A "A Little Bit of Something (Beats a Whole Lot of Nothing)" Okeh
4-7286
single only
B "Money" The Explosive Little Richard
1967 A "Bring It Back Home to Me" Modern
45xM 1030
The Incredible Little Richard Sings His Greatest Hits - Live!
B "Slippin' and Slidin'" single only
Nov.
1967
A "Baby What You Want Me to Do (Part 1)" Modern
45xM 1043
The Wild and Frantic Little Richard
B "Baby What You Want Me to Do (Part 2)"
Dec.
1967
A "Try Some of Mine" Brunswick
55362
single only
B "She's Together"
June
1968
A "Baby, Don't You Tear My Clothes" Brunswick
55377
single only
B "Stingy Jenny"
Sep.
1968
A "Soul Train" Brunswick
55386
single only
B "Can I Count on You"
March
1969
A "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" Okeh
4-7325
Little Richard's Greatest Hits: Recorded Live!
B "Lucille"
April
1970
A "Bama Lama Bama Loo" Specialty
697
Well Alright!
B "Keep A-Knockin'" Little Richard
April
1970
A "Freedom Blues" Reprise
0907
47 28 The Rill Thing
B "Dew Drop Inn"
Nov.
1970
A "Poor Boy Paul" Specialty
699
single only
B "Wonderin'" Well Alright!
March
1971
A "Shake a Hand (If You Can)" Reprise
1005
single only
B "Somebody Saw You" The Rill Thing
Sep.
1971
A "Black ManWhite Man" ABC
11312
single only
B "Midnight Man"
Oct.
1971
A "Green Power" Reprise
1043
The King of Rock and Roll
B "Dancing in the Street"
Dec.
1971
A "Money Is" Reprise
REP 1062
Dollar$ (soundtrack)
Feb.
1972
A "Rockin' with The King"
(no credits)
United Artists
50892
Historical Figures and Ancient Heads
Nov.
1972
A "Mockingbird Sally" Reprise
REP 1130
The Second Coming
B "Nuki Suki"
1972 A "Goodnight Irene"
(with Jimi Hendrix)
ALA
ALA-1175
Friends from the Beginning
B "Why Don't You Love Me"
May
1973
A "Good Golly Miss Molly" Bell
2008 189
Let the Good Times Roll (soundtrack)
B "Lucille"
June
1973
A "In the Middle of the Night" Greene Mountain
413
71 single only
B "Where Will I Find a Place to Sleep This Evening"
1973 A "In the Name" Kent
4568
Right Now!
B "Don't You Know"
Dec.
1975
A "Call My Name" Manticore
7007
106 single only
B "Steal Miss Liza"
1975 A "Try to Help Your Brother" Mainstream
5572
B "Funk Proof"
1977 A1 "Good Golly Miss Molly" Creole
CR 140
37 Little Richard Live
A2 "Rip It Up"
B "By the Light of the Silvery Moon"
Sep.
1983
A "Chicken Little Baby" Specialty
734
The Fabulous Little Richard
B "Oh Why" Here's Little Richard
Circa
1984
A "All Around the World" Specialty
736
Little Richard
B "Heeby-Jeebies-Love" Well Alright!
1986 A "Great Gosh A'Mighty! (It's a Matter of Time)" MCA
52780
42 62 Down and Out in Beverly Hills (soundtrack)
1986 A "Operator" WEA
YZ89
67 Lifetime Friend
B "Big House Reunion"
Jan.
1987
A "Somebody's Comin'" WEA
YZ98
93
B "One Ray of Sunshine"
1988 A "Twins" (from the original motion picture "Twins")
(with Philip Bailey, 3:18)
WTG
31-08492
82 single only
B "Twins" (from the original motion picture "Twins")
(with Philip Bailey, 3:57)
82
1991 A "Voices That Care"
(no credits; various artists)
Giant
7-19350
11 6
"" denotes releases that did not chart or was not released.

Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US 200 US R&B
Here's Little Richard 13
Little Richard
  • Released: 1958
  • Label: Specialty
  • Format: mono LP
The Fabulous Little Richard
  • Released: March 1959
  • Label: Specialty
  • Format: mono LP
Pray Along with Little Richard, Volume 1
  • Released: 1960
  • Label: End
  • Format: mono LP
Pray Along with Little Richard (Vol 2)
  • Released: 1960
  • Label: End
  • Format: mono LP
The King of the Gospel Singers
  • Released: 1962
  • Label: Mercury
  • Format: stereo LP
Little Richard Is Back (And There's A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On!)
  • Released: August 1964
  • Label: Vee-Jay
  • Format: mono LP
Little Richard's Greatest Hits
  • Released: 1965
  • Label: Vee-Jay
  • Format: mono LP
The Incredible Little Richard Sings His Greatest Hits - Live!
  • Released: 1967
  • Label: Modern
  • Format: stereo LP
The Wild and Frantic Little Richard
  • Released: 1967 or 1968
  • Label: Modern
  • Format: stereo LP
The Explosive Little Richard
  • Released: January 1967
  • Label: Okeh
  • Format: mono LP
Little Richard's Greatest Hits: Recorded Live!
  • Released: July 1967
  • Label: Okeh
  • Format: stereo LP
184 28
The Rill Thing
  • Released: August 1970
  • Label: Reprise
  • Format: stereo LP
Mr. Big
  • Released: 1971
  • Label: Joy
  • Format: mono LP
The King of Rock and Roll
  • Released: 1971
  • Label: Reprise
  • Format: stereo-mono LP
The Second Coming
  • Released: 1972
  • Label: Reprise
  • Format: stereo LP
Southern Child
  • Unreleased (recorded in 1972); tracks issued in 2005
  • Label: Reprise
  • Format: stereo LP
Right Now!
  • Released: 1974
  • Label: United
  • Format: stereo LP
Talkin' 'bout Soul
  • Released: 1974
  • Label: Dynasty
  • Format: stereo-mono LP
Little Richard Live
  • Released: 1976
  • Label: K-Tel
  • Format: stereo-mono LP (all studio)
God's Beautiful City
  • Released: 1979
  • Label: Word
  • Format: stereo LP
Lifetime Friend
  • Released: 1986
  • Label: WEA Records
  • Format: stereo LP
Shake It All About
  • Released: 1992
  • Label: Disney
  • Format: stereo LP
Little Richard Meets Masayoshi Takanaka
  • Released: 1992
  • Label: Eastworld
  • Format: stereo LP
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Compilation albums

Label overviews

Guest appearances/Duets

Year Song Album Notes
1975 "Take It Like A Man" Head On (Bachman–Turner Overdrive album)
  • Little Richard played piano on the track released on the hit album Head On.
1985 "Great Gosh A'Mighty" Down and Out in Beverly Hills Soundtrack
  • Little Richard performs a rocking, faith-based track that he wrote with Billy Preston - the first he wrote and recorded since he reconciled his role as a Minister and as a rock and roll performer - for the soundtrack to the motion picture Down And Out in Beverly Hills.
1987 "Happy Endings" The Telephone Soundtrack
1988 "Rock Island Line" Folkways: A Vision Shared A Tribute to Woody Guthrie & Leadbelly
  • Little Richard performs a rocking version of Leadbelly's "Rock Island Line" backed by Fishbone.
1988 "Twins" Twins Soundtrack
  • Little Richard sings duet with Philip Bailey on the theme song for the soundtrack of the motion picture Twins.
1989 "When Love Comes To Town" (Live From The Kingdom Mix) Live - Extended Version
  • Little Richard preaches a sermon in rhyming rap style and sings background vocals on the B-side of the 1989 12-inch 45rpm extended single with U2 and B.B. King, called "When Love Comes To Town (Live From The Kingdom Mix)".
1990 "Elvis Is Dead" Time's Up (Living Color album)
  • Little Richard performs a guest rap on the track "Elvis Is Dead" from the Living Color album entitled Time's Up.
1990 "You Really Got Me Now" Young Guns
1991 "Voices That Care" (Single and Music Video Only)
  • Little Richard is a featured singer as part of a supergroup of popular musicians, entertainers and athletes. The group of people involved was also collectively known as Voices That Care and was shown as such on the single release and marketing materials. The single and supporting documentary music video were intended to help boost the morale of U.S. troops involved in Operation Desert Storm, as well as supporting the International Red Cross organization.
1991 "Itsy Bitsy Spider" Disney For Our Children
1991 "The Power" Elton John Duets
1994 "Something Else" Rhythm Country and Blues
1996 "Everybody's Got A Game" Definition of Soul
1997 "Hold On To What You've Got" Soul-Gasm
1999 "Keep A Knockin" Why Do Fools Fall In Love Soundtrack
2002 "Get Rhythm" Kindred Spirits A Tribute To The Songs of Johnny Cash
2006 "I Saw Her Standing There" Last Man Standing
2008 "I Ain't Never" The Imus Ranch Record
  • Little Richard sings a track on The Imus Ranch Record to help raise funds for sick children.
2011 "He Ain't Never Done Me Nothing But Good" Dottie Rambo Tribute
  • Little Richard sings a track on the tribute album to the songs of gospel music legend Dottie Rambo.

References

  1. White, Charles (1994). The Life and Times of Little Richard: The Quasar of Rock. Da Capo Press. p. 245. ISBN 0-306-80552-9.
  2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 324. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 8/12/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.