Bruce Springsteen has declared Little Richard the purest rock ‘n’ roll voice of all time.
This isn’t the first time Springsteen has honored Little Richard as a foundational force in rock music, for his sound, or his raw intensity and cultural impact.
“That’s the purest rock ‘n’ roll voice of all time,” Springsteen once said of Little Richard. “It’s owned by Georgia Peach, the king of rock ‘n’ roll. He’s one of the founding fathers of rock ‘n’ roll, and he’s an outstanding vocal genius.”
He then credited Richard for reshaping popular culture itself, saying he came “to take the nation, the world, and your body and soul by storm.”
While Springsteen built his own career on passion, storytelling and emotional urgency rather than technical sophistication, what set Little Richard apart, according to Springsteen, was the complete lack of restraint in his voice.
His songs like Long long Sally And Lucille were all about energy and attitude, not polish. This style influenced generations of rock singers, from Robert Plant and Steven Tyler to others who focused on brute force.
Springsteen said that while many singers have tried to match that intensity, few have succeeded. He called Little Richard not only influential, but also truly unique. He calls him one of the few artists to permanently change the sound, spirit and impact of rock and roll.
