What is Rock and Roll without the power and style of Little Richard?! That’s not even a question; that’s a statement. Since his arrival in the mid-’50s, Little Richard laid strong claim to a crown (not the whole bunch, but definitely one of them) of Rock and Roll. With his flamboyant presentation, and his unique blend of Gospel and the then style of Rock, Little Richard led teens out on to the dance floors with the music of “Tutti Frutti”. From there, he rose to a legend. Although he is 83 today, his music is timeless.
On July 15, Concord Records will release a 5LP Box of the important Vee-Jay and Specialty Records that he released between 1957 and 1964 (studio), and the 1965 ‘best of’ from Vee-Jay Records, His Greatest Hits. The entire set is remastered and will feature all of his Mono recordings for Specialty Records and Vee-Jay Records. The Box is a slip case housing all five of the LPs, which are in original jacket designs. Rounding out the Box, there is a 16-page booklet with new notes, and a whole bunch of classic photos.
The boxset is being called Mono Box: Complete Specialty/Vee-Jay Albums. While priced high, it is a collectible set that will grace your library beautifully. I’m fairly sure the the entire Box set will show up in CD form soon. Keep your eyes peeled if it’s CD you’re wanting.
The LPs in that box will be his three Specialty Records releases that include Here’s Little Richard (1957), Little Richard (1958), The Fabulous Little Richard (1959), and his two with Vee-Jay Records, Little Richard Is Back (And There’s A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On!) (1964), and Little Richard’s Greatest Hits (1965).
