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Congressman Cohen Celebrates the Life of Little Richard

May 9, 2020

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), who represents Memphis, the birthplace of the blues and the home of Rock 'n' Roll, today remembered Little Richard, a pioneer of Rock 'n' Roll, who died today in Tullahoma, Tennessee, with this statement:

"Little Richard broke into the consciousness of America in 1955 with an explosive ‘Tutti Frutti,' and has been at the vanguard of American music ever since, covered by the Beatles, Elton John, the Everly Brothers, Pat Boone, the Kinks and Elvis Costello, among many others. He wrote that classic song and ‘Long Tall Sally' and ‘Good Golly Miss Molly' while washing dishes at a Macon, Georgia, Greyhound station. They were instant successes and remain mainstays of Rock's canon. A contemporary of Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis, he was also their equal, and melded their styles, pounding the keyboard while grooving, whooping and crooning. I met him several times in Nashville and he was always charming and down-to earth. All America should ponder his genius with an enthusiastic ‘a wop bob alu bob a wop bam boom' today in his honor. He will never be forgotten."

Little Richard played Memphis many times, including a memorable performance at the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival in 2012.