Today we are sad to have said goodbye to a rock & roll icon who’s impact on modern music will be felt forever.
Little Richard last visited Cardiff when he played St David’s Hall on the 2nd of May 2005, but has performed here many times before.
One memorable performance was the tour of 1963 with Duane Eddy, we are lucky to have images of the programme from the performance on 13th November 1963 at Sofia Gardens.
Another Cardiff performance was recalled with fondness by Bill Wyman. According to Wyman it was in Cardiff that Little Richard went down a storm. “Little Richard brought the house down, when he jumped off-stage, went up the centre aisle followed by members of the audience, out the front doors, then back in through a side exit and back onstage. He then proceeded to partly undress and throw pieces of clothing into the crowd. He performed way past his scheduled time. His manager would stand side-stage and yell to him 'Richard! Stop preaching', to get him off.” His set was normally 'Long Tall Sally', 'Rip It Up', 'Tutti Frutti', and 'Lucille' – it doesn’t come more high-octane than that!
Rest in Peace
Little Richard - 1932 - 2020
