The passing of The Innovator, Originator and Architect of Rock n Roll – Richard Wayne Penniman aka American singer, songwriter, and musician Little Richard on May 9 was a sad reminder of how few of the great Rock n Roll pioneers we now have left among us.
Little Richard led the way with great songs performed with vitality, personality, and charisma. His rock n roll hits Good Golly Miss Molly, Long Tall Sally and Tutti Frutti inspired generations of up and coming musicians including The Beatles.
It must have been a magical occasion for ticket holders who attended The Everly Brothers tour at Cardiff Capitol on October 6, 1963 to see Little Richard closing the first half. Little Richard had previously joined the tour, (which also featured Bo Diddley, Julie Rogers and a new chart band The Rolling Stones), at Watford’s Gaumont on October 5 and would tour the UK finishing at London’s Hammersmith Odeon on November 3.
Back in 2017, Peter Smith from Newport remembered: “Little Richard got on top of the piano” while Taff Ely from Cardiff recalled, “ After seeing Bo Diddley & Little Richard I thought the Everly Bros will have to be something special to top them, they were, terrific show.”*
The running order of the show went as follows:
- The Flintstones
- Ray Cameron (Compere)
- Mickie Most
- The Rolling Stones
- Ray Cameron
- Little Richard
- INTERVAL
- The Rattles
- Ray Cameron
- Julie Grant
- Bo Diddley
- The Everly Brothers
*Quotes from South Wales Rock N Roll Years Facebook Group.
- If you have any memories or memorabilia from the show please let us know by emailing entertainmentsouthwales@gmail.com
- Thanks to Bradford Timeline for Programme Images