The early history of rock 'n' roll is a story of segregation, and LittleRichard was a key player in the fight to destroy it.
Because of Jim Crow laws, and racism in general, African-American musicians from Louis Armstrong to Charlie Parker to Motown revues traveling through the South spent much of the 20th century relegated to black hotels and black restaurants, denied entrance even to hotels where they were headlining. Ballrooms and auditoriums drew physical ropes through their audiences to separate blacks and whites from dancing or congregating together when Chuck Berry or Lloyd Price were on stage.
Although the iconic artist born Richard Penniman was born in Macon, Ga., he spent much of his early career in New Orleans, performing at the legendary Dew Drop Inn and recording classic hits at Cosimo Matassa's important J&M Studio on the edge of the French Quarter. Segregation defined his choices for both locations.
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