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MY SHORT LITTLE RICHARD STORY

Several years ago I worked a charity event at the Beverly Hilton for some cancer research facility. I was assigned to stand next to the stage, to make sure no one from the audience or back stage started anything stupid. Between acts, the stage and back stage were blacked out. I saw two men escorting, half carrying a very frail individual up onto the stage. They sat the individual at the piano and removed a cape he was wearing. He was all stooped over and looked like he may fall off the piano bench.

Suddenly, the stage spotlight hit the piano and it was like they threw a switch! It was Little Richard.

Richard snapped upright and became the Little Richard we have all seen. He sang, danced around the piano, yelled at celebrity members of the audience. He did about 20 minutes of his trademark songs and had the crowded auditorium up on their feet going crazy. He did an encore or two and bowed from the piano bench, then the stage went dark.

Little Richard shrank back into the shriveled up old man. His assistance wrapped him in his cape and half lifted and carried Richard off the stage and out to his Limo. I have never before or since, seen a person go through such an instant transformation (without the use of drugs). The world is a little more empty without Little Richard. R.I.P.