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American Masters

Little Richard preaches the gospel

Season 37 Episode 5 | 2m 00s

Little Richard had a fervid relationship with religion, and even quit rock and roll music for religion once in 1957, only to return years later. He was regularly preaching in 1984, claiming that his days "should be spent now, at the age of 52, spreading the gospel."

Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Cheryl and Philip Milstein Family, Judith & Burton Resnick, Seton J. Melvin, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, The Ambrose Monell Foundation, Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment, Vital Projects Fund, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Ellen and James S. Marcus, The André and Elizabeth Kertész Foundation, Koo and Patricia Yuen and public television viewers.
Extras
Watch • 1:07
American Masters
Max Roach: The Drum Also Waltzes
Experience the groundbreaking sounds of bebop pioneer and virtuoso composer Max Roach.
Preview: S37 E9 | 1:07
Watch • 2:29
American Masters
Documenting the legacy of drummer Max Roach
Director Sam Pollard was captivated by the life story of drummer and activist Max Roach.
Preview: S37 E9 | 2:29
Watch • 2:13
American Masters
How Max Roach created the experimental sound of M'Boom
Max Roach founded M'Boom, a jazz group made up of experimental percussionists.
Clip: S37 E9 | 2:13
Watch • 2:48
American Masters
How Max Roach fused jazz and hip hop
Max Roach was excited by the premise and promise of rap when it first hit the music scene.
Clip: S37 E9 | 2:48
Watch • 2:29
American Masters
Documenting the legacy of drummer Max Roach
Director Sam Pollard was captivated by the life story of drummer and activist Max Roach.
Clip: S37 E9 | 2:29
Watch • 1:53
American Masters
A Song for Cesar
See how Cesar Chavez and the farmworkers’ movement were influenced by music and the arts.
Preview: S37 E8 | 1:53
Watch • 3:28
American Masters
Cesar Chavez's love of jazz and pachuco culture
Civil rights activist Cesar Chavez expressed an interest in music from an early age.
Clip: S37 E8 | 3:28
Watch • 2:32
American Masters
Peaceful protest with Joan Baez
Singer Joan Baez was one of the peaceful protesters of the farmworkers’ movement.
Clip: S37 E8 | 2:32
Watch • 3:11
American Masters
The music of America’s farmworkers
Daniel Valdez created a bolero song from the poem "Brown-Eyed Children of the Sun."
Clip: S37 E8 | 3:11
Watch • 3:41
American Masters
How the farmworkers’ movement used concerts to fundraise
Jim Cassell organized concerts as fundraisers for the farmworkers’ movement.
Clip: S37 E8 | 3:41
All
  • All
  • American Masters Season 37
  • American Masters Season 36
  • American Masters Season 35
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  • American Masters Season 31
  • American Masters Season 30
  • American Masters Season 29
  • American Masters Season 28
  • American Masters Season 27
  • American Masters Season 26
  • American Masters Season 25
  • American Masters Season 24
  • American Masters Season 23
  • American Masters Season 22
  • American Masters Season 21
  • American Masters Season 20
  • American Masters Season 18
  • American Masters Season 17
  • American Masters Season 14
  • American Masters Season 12
  • American Masters Season 4
  • American Masters Season 3
American Masters
Bella! This Woman’s Place is in the House
Follow the meteoric rise of firebrand politician and activist Bella Abzug.
Episode: S37 E10
American Masters
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Experience the groundbreaking sounds of bebop pioneer and virtuoso composer Max Roach.
Episode: S37 E9
American Masters
A Song for Cesar
Trace the life and legacy of labor activist Cesar Chavez through music and the arts.
Episode: S37 E8
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Follow the 50-year career of First Amendment lawyer and legal expert Floyd Abrams.
Episode: S37 E7 | 1:22:45
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American Masters
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Experience the political and personal journey of California governor Jerry Brown.
Episode: S37 E6 | 1:33:44
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American Masters
Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll
Experience the meteoric rise and enduring legacy of Little Richard.
Episode: S37 E5 | 1:29:31
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Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV
See the world through the eyes of Nam June Paik, the father of video art.
Episode: S37 E4 | 1:45:01
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American Masters
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Episode: S37 E3 | 1:51:39
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Join Dr. Anthony Fauci as he reflects on his life and career as a public health advocate.
Episode: S37 E2 | 1:53:11
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Discover music icon Roberta Flack’s rise to stardom and triumphs over racism and sexism.
Episode: S37 E1 | 1:23:33