Book summary: wearing women’s clothing, and makeup, and having a bigger than life personality, this book talks about how the superstar persona of “Little Richard” became one of the pioneers of rock ‘n roll back in the 1950s. He befriended the likes of James Brown, Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones (in which he was often an opening act in Europe), and Nat King Cole. Little Richard was instrumental in the shaping of rock ‘n roll’s early days way back in the 50s and the 60s. He often struggled with his own personal “demons” being that he was raised in a strict Baptist family down south, and then went off to play secular music, and then returned to the pulpit to become a preacher/evangelist, only to be drawn back into the secular world after a decade or two.
Now in his 80s, Little Richard still can be seen and heard as a pitchman for various products and commercials from time to time.
This short biography was about Little Richard and his impact and influence he had on the rock ‘n roll scenes in the early beginnings. With his outrageous personality on the stage, dressed in effeminate clothing, makeup, wild hairdos and plan a vicious piano rift, Little Richard set the stage for lot of other “larger-than-life” personalities who would follow after him, especially in the music scene.
The book doesn’t go much into his own personal life (i.e., personal family situation, marriages, children, etc.), but it does talk about his upbringing in the deep South with a very strict and religious family.
A very good book for those of you who enjoy music, especially the history of music and the great personalities who helped shaped our music scenes throughout the decades.
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
