Little Richard

He spoke warmly about Spector and other early favorites like Chuck Berry, Little Richard and the Four Freshmen.

But as he articulated to me, as much as he worshiped Woody Guthrie, and other folk singers, he also worshipped Buddy Holly and Johnny Cash and Hank Williams and Little Richard, and a myriad of others.

In the first car ride, he is waxing poetic about Johnny Cash and Little Richard, and it makes Pete a little uncomfortable because he’s a purist.

As he grew into his creative identity, John picked up the piano with ease, writing both moving melodies and the kind of collar-grabbing compositions that were more in line with Little Richard, another one of John’s noted idols.

Little Richard laid the foundation for rock ‘n’ roll.