‘Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock’n’Roll’ – the new feature length documentary about the late music legend – has premiered on BBC iPlayer. 

Born and raised in the segregated South, Richard Penniman broke down barriers and took 1950s America by storm, going on to carve a legacy as one of the most groundbreaking artists of his generation. 

Listing The Beatles and the Rolling Stones among his fans, he went on to influence artists as diverse as David Bowie, Elton John, Michael Jackson and Prince, but the inner conflict between his religious beliefs and the music style he pioneered – as well as his battles with his own sexuality – led Little Richard to quit rock ‘n’ roll not just once, but twice. 

He spent years feeling that his contribution to music had been overlooked in favour of white rock ‘n’ roll stars like Elvis Presley and Pat Boone.

Directed by James House and featuring an all-star line-up of interviewees, including Ringo Starr, Keith Richards, Nile Rodgers and Big Freedia, alongside intimate contributions from friends and bandmates, the documentary also includes the never-before-broadcast words of Little Richard himself. 

‘Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock’n’Roll’ is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.