By 1985, Little Richard had abandoned rock ‘n’ roll, the music genre that he helped pioneer in the 1950s, and was living in a hotel in Los Angeles. “He would embrace people and they would ask him to sign autographs … He would just wanna ride,” said Ron Jones, his bandmate and friend.
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(light music) - Richard, do you have like a favorite side?
- Yes.
This is my little side and this is my big side.
I like both of them.
(Little Richard laughs) - [Ron] At that point in his life, Richard wasn't playing rock-and-roll.
- Ooh, that's gonna be good.
- We were very, very close friends.
I met Richard in Los Angeles in the 70s and became part of his band.
We bonded.
- Your eyes may shine, your teeth may grit, but none of my songs you will get.
(Little Richard laughs) (light music) - [Ron] Years later, I would go visit him.
He was living at a hotel on Sunset Boulevard with the spiral staircase and all of that.
I'd go to the lobby and hang out and then Richard would come down from the elevator and there's people in the lobby and they'd say, "Oh, that's Little Richard."
He'd say, "Oh, hey, baby."
And he's waving at everybody and he would embrace people and they would ask him to sign autographs and he would sign autographs.
So we'll get through that.
Then the driver would cut.
He would just wanna ride.
(car engine roars)
