In the canon of rock and roll, certain figures loom so large their influence is inseparable from the genre itself. Yet history has a way of sanding down the edges of its most radical architects, chipping away at what makes them human. Little Richard: I Am Everything, a 2023 documentary directed by Lisa Cortes, seeks to restore those jagged edges, celebrating and sharing the greatness of a man who helped shape not only rock, but modern music as a whole, into what it is today while battling the complexities of his own identity.
Little Richard was a pioneer in rock due to his electrifying performances blurring the lines between genders, and unrelating charisma which set the template for rock’s rebellion. The film I Am Everything follows Richard’s come up from gospel roots in his hometown of Macon Georgia to his explosive breakthrough in his song Tutti Fruity. I Am Everything refuses to let Richard be a static icon and instead grapples with the internal conflict that defined him: his struggle between embracing his wild, boundary pushing persona and his deep-rooted religious beliefs. Richard faced many setbacks, not only because of his personality but also because of his Black identity and the challenges he faced due to societal views on sexuality. Throughout his life, Richard often renounced rock and roll, viewing it as sinful, only to return to it time and time again. The film explores this tension, showing how his faith clashed with his identity, particularly his struggles with his sexuality. He often felt torn between who he was and who he thought he should be, leading him to reject parts of himself at different points in his life. Rather than simplifying his legacy, I Am Everything gracefully depicts these contradictions, painting a fuller picture of a man who refused to fit into any box.
The documentary highlights just how deeply Little Richard shaped rock and roll, influencing some of its biggest legends. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley all took inspiration from his sound, style, and electrifying stage presence. I Am Everything showcases archival footage and interviews that make this influence undeniable. Paul McCartney has admitted to imitating Richard’s signature wails, while Mick Jagger learned the art of commanding a crowd from watching him perform. Even artists like Prince and Freddie Mercury carried his fearless energy and boundary-pushing persona into their own music. The film makes it clear that without Little Richard, rock and roll wouldn’t be what it is today, cementing his place as one of its true pioneers.