Watch Little Richard’s Incredible Induction Of Otis Redding Into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

In 1986, the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame held a ceremony to induct its inaugural class of influential musicians consisting of Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Robert Johnson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Jimmie Rodgers, Jimmy Yancey and Little Richard.

Recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident months before, Little Richard — who was born Richard Penniman in Macon, Georgia on this date in 1932 — was sadly unable to attend the Rock Hall’s first induction ceremony. After a glowing introduction by Ahmet Ertegun, acclaimed singer Roberta Flack gave an equally adulatory speech inducting Little Richard into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame the night of the inaugural event.

Known as “The Architect of Rock And Roll,” Little Richard’s absence from the first Rock Hall ceremony was an unfortunate missed opportunity for the massively influential musician to be present for the recognition and adulation he deserved but too often went without. After Flack’s speech honoring the man she first knew as Richard Penniman, a taped message recorded by Little Richard was played for the audience at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

Three years later, Little Richard was able to attend the 1989 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Little Richard was asked to give a speech inducting fellow Macon, Georgia native, Otis Redding. While both giving Redding an incredible tribute, Little Richard took the opportunity to point out the influence he had not only on Redding but on many other fellow members of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame whose careers he helped start such as Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

Those are just a few of the musicians who were directly or indirectly influenced by Little Richard that are in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Little Richard’s style transcends the likes of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Elton John, Prince, Peter Gabriel, Freddie Mercury, Michael Jackson and dozens of other Rock Hall Of Famers.

Despite his undoubted impact on rock ‘n’ roll – both with his often imitated sound and uncompromisingly boundary-breaking style – Little Richard was often his own greatest champion, seeking proper recognition for his role as the true architect of the widely popular gene.

So when given the opportunity to speak in person at the 1989 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Ceremony, Little Richard managed to give Otis Redding a fitting tribute for his contributions to music, while systematically reminding those listening of the importance of his own architectural role.

When Little Richard took the stage to induct Otis Redding, the house band was playing Redding’s soul classic “I Can’t Turn You Loose” and Little Richard instinctively began singing along.

“I haven’t done that in 30 years,” Little Richard exclaimed before proceeding with his induction of Redding.

Little Richard kept the band on call throughout the rest of the speech, as he continued to interject songs throughout the his remaining time on stage. He first called up Redding’s signature “(Sittin’ on the) Dock of the Bay” and then worked in a bit of “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” and “Fa Fa Fa Fa Fa (Sad Song).”

Little Richard presented evidence of his influence on Redding by noting the similarities between the former’s “All Around the World” and the latter’s “Shout Bamalama.” He also sang a bit of “Lucille,” noting the first time he heard Redding singing it he mistook the recording for himself. Like at the start of the speech, Little Richard wrapped his remarks by noting it had been 30 years since he sang his 1957 hit “Lucille” or any other rock song.

[Originally Published: December 5, 2023]