Maps of Music
Lifetime Friend (1986)
Where the lyrics of Lifetime Friend take you, and where it was really made.
Little Richard's first album since 1979 came out in 1986, made after his mother's death, and it set rock and roll sound against gospel lyrics.
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Recorded mainly in England (1986)
Recording site Wild Bunch Studios (London) — The album was recorded mainly in England, and London is the recording point. The pin sits at the city centre, not at a specific studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: See the map for directions.
Album story
Overview
- Lifetime Friend: album by Little Richard, released 1986
- His first album since God's Beautiful City (1979)
- Recorded mainly in England
- Issued on WEA in Europe and Warner Bros. Records in the United States
- Mixes his trademark rock and roll sound with gospel lyrics
- Richard called the style "message music" or "messages in rhythm"
- Ten tracks in the track listing
Background
- After God's Beautiful City, Richard made no new recordings apart from some 1981 recordings
- The 1981 backing tracks were used for TV appearances
- He continued his career in the ministry during this period
- Autobiography The Quasar of Rock and Roll published in 1984
- After the book, he was publicly recognized as one of the founders of rock and roll
- His mother, Leva Mae, died before the album was recorded
- He had promised her that he would remain a Christian
Recording
- The album was recorded mainly in England
- "I Found My Way" was co-written by Richard and protege Victor Brooks II
- That track blends rap vocals and rock and roll
- Mixed by Tom Perry (Discogs credit)
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com
Artist
Career
- Richard Wayne Penniman (1932–2020), known as Little Richard, was an American singer, pianist and songwriter.
- Called the "Architect of Rock and Roll"; his mid-1950s work laid the foundation for rock and roll.
- Hits: "Tutti Frutti" (1955), "Long Tall Sally" (1956, No. 1 on the R&B chart), followed by a rapid run of further hits.
- Retired from rock and roll for evangelism in 1957, returned in 1962 after a European tour with Don Arden.
- The Beatles opened for him on some 1962 tour dates; he taught Paul McCartney his vocal style.
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, its first group of inductees.
- "Tutti Frutti" was added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2009.
Influence
- His raspy shouting vocals and boogie-woogie, New Orleans R&B and gospel fusion shaped rock, soul and funk.
- Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix and many others cited him as an influence.
- Covered by Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis and the Everly Brothers.
Reception
At release
- Released 1986 on WEA in Europe and Warner Bros. Records in the United States
- Single "Great Gosh A'Mighty" co-written by Richard and Billy Preston
- The song was featured on the soundtrack to Down and Out in Beverly Hills before its release as a single
- The album version has slightly altered lyrics compared with the single
Records
- "Great Gosh A'Mighty" peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 1986
- The same single reached number 36 in Canada
- "Operator" was also a chart maker overseas
- The album's first single gave it visibility beyond its European and American releases
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Trivia
- The album was his first since God's Beautiful City (1979), after a long break from recording.
- After his mother Leva Mae died, he had promised her that he would remain a Christian.
- "I Found My Way" blends rap vocals with rock and roll, co-written with his protege Victor Brooks II.
- Some copies carry a gold promotional stamp on the front cover.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com
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