When I was a lad my sister, eleven years older than I, would bring home records, those large black 78s' that once sent us all wild. A huge pile eventually appeared in the house, mostly Rock and Roll, featuring all the favourites of the time. Among them was one 45' that had four tracks upon it, these were songs by the fabulous Little Richard. This was excellent and even as a stupid kid I really enjoyed 'Lucille' and 'The Girl Can't Help it' even if I understood nothing at the time.
His showmanship and rowdy performances really led Rock and Roll front. To say he influenced music that followed is putting it mildly. Most groups of the 60s were influenced by him, Paul McCartney was taught vocalisation by Richard when the Beatles fronted his UK tour.
His life became one of many ups and down, these were not to his benefit. Having in recent years suffered stokes, heart problems and various other problems died today at the age of 87.
His music will remain for a long time.
This is a good book. The author takes you through all the relevant bits, what to wear, where to stay, how to conduct yourself before authority and keep your head on, etc. All very good stuff for anyone interested in England during the 14th century. The author claims many things changed during this time, good things like the death of the brutal English King Edward I which brought joy to Scotland and Wales, and not so good thing like the plague, or the Peasants revolt, many peasants came from this district it must be said. Some things do not change. Fashions changed and Kings changed and 'English' became a language common to all, allowing for dialects, accents and local words and preferences for French. All in all it is a good readable book.
However I gave up a third of the way through. This is because that while readable it is not readable as a book, the make up of the book makes it readable as a reference book. That is, if I was studying this period I would certainly have this book on my shelf, as a reference book to be 'dipped into' on a 'need' basis it is excellent, I will retain it myself for that purpose, however this book is not designed for the reader to 'read through.' A shame, but if you are interested in the century Scotland got Robert the Bruce as King, Scotland of course is ignored alongside Wales except when appropriate by this book, or desire to know the background in which life existed, then this book is definitely for you.
