Mick Jagger says, point-blank: "He was everything." John Waters, whose mustache is a deliberate "nod" to Little Richard, is voluminous on the man's example of rebellion and breaking down walls. There's an impressive roster of interview subjects, scholars, peers, and those he influenced and knew personally. These clips and more are peppered through "Little Richard: I Am Everything," along with riveting concert footage. Rhythm and blues had a baby, and somebody named it rock 'n roll." He spoke, building to the climax like a preacher: "It's been a long time coming. In 1997, he was given the Merit Award at the American Music Awards. Little Richard knew Redding, and he speaks on that, but once again, he-a member of the first "class" of inductees-reminds the audience of his dominance and centrality. Then followed the most extraordinary induction speech in the history of the institution. Little Richard started off with a performance of Redding's greatest hits. The second awards show moment was the 1989 induction of Otis Redding into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame. People barely remember Jody Watley's win as Best New Artist, but they remember Little Richard. And I am the originator!” At the end of this, the audience leapt to their feet in a standing ovation. I am the architect of rock ‘n’ roll and they never gave me nothing. He went on, with passionate conviction: “I have never received nothing! Y’all ain’t never gave me no Grammy and I been singing for years. me!” The audience laughed, assuming he was joking. Holding the envelope, he said, “And the best new artist is. They take it from me.” The audience laughed, but it was a little uncomfortable. Little Richard, resplendent in a shiny brown suit, glanced at Johansen's towering pompadour and declared, “I used to wear my hair like that. The first "Little Richard Awards Show Moment" was at the 1988 Grammys, when he and Buster Poindexter (aka David Johansen, former frontman of the New York Dolls) presented the award for Best New Artist.
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