Little Richard Artist Biography Analysis - History of Rock & Roll

Artist Biography Analysis

History of Rock & Roll

Sage Chaffin

10:30 MWF

Little Richard

        In preparation of the biography analysis of Little Richard, I choose to use four different sources of information including the Oxford Music Online search engine, ALLMUSIC search engine, Wikipedia, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame website. Each of the four sources give a great summary of the life of Little Richard and his hit songs that set Little Richard apart from other competing artists in the 1950’s. There are also some notable differences between the biographies of Little Richard including how information is presented, the ability to listen to his music, and providing pictures that go along with Little Richard’s loud clothing choices. I decided to do a biography analysis on Little Richard because I am fascinated by the vibrant nature of his music and how against all odds he became one of the most renown rock and roll artists of his time.  

        The account of Little Richard’s life through the Oxford Music Online search engine is one of the shortest biographies of the four. The biography encompasses Little Richards beginnings in gospel music, moving into his hit song Tutti Frutti in 1955, then moving into his actor career in which he starred in three films, and lastly being ordained as a minister in 1963. The biography claims that Richard was influenced by Louis Jordan and other jump blues and urban artists of the late 1940’s. Oxford Music Online also focused on Little Richard’s ability to differentiate himself from other African American artists in the industry. The biography claims that the white public accepted Little Richard’s play style because his act was similar to a variety show. It wasn’t only his loud and energetic music that sold tickets, but his personality and entertaining dance moves are what sold out crowds. The biography ends on honoring Little Richard’s forty-year career that inspires music made today.  

        The next biography I would like to discuss is by Richie Unterberger and is listed on the ALLMUSIC website. ALLMUSIC’s biography is way more visually appealing and organized than the Oxford Music Online biography. The ALLMUSIC biography is the only biography with the ability to share information from the biography on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Not only can you learn about Little Richard’s life, but you can also listen to his music straight from the website. Similar to the account of Little Richard’s life in the Oxford Music Online search engine, Unterberger’s biography of Little Richard is concise however I enjoyed reading Unterberger’s biography more.  Richie’s description of Little Richard’s music style creates a clear image of who Little Richard was and how his energy driven music style changed the industry. Unterberger used words to describe Little Richard such as electric and his singing style was delivered with bullet speed deliveries. In contrast to the Oxford Music Online biography, Unterberger states that Little Richard derived his early inspirations from Billy Wright and Roy Brown. Unterberger provides a picture of Little Richard and an album cover which also differentiates it from the biography provided in the Oxford Music Online site.

        After reading Little Richards biography on Wikipedia an individual could claim to be the biggest Little Richard fan in the world. Wikipedia lists anything and everything you could ever want to know about Little Richard. Everything from Little Richard’s early life, musical career, personal life, and legacy. At first glance, reading the biography of Little Richard on Wikipedia is similar to being hooked up to a fire hose. It would be very difficult to sift through the information without headings, but Wikipedia provides a content bar to the side of the biography that enables the user to sift through information that they are interested in. The biography on Wikipedia also provides pictures similar to the ones listed in the ALLMUSIC biography. I will say that ALLMUSIC’S biography of Little Richard is the most visually appealing when compared to Wikipedia and Oxford Music Online.