It is at Uptown Records where Harrell famously discovered future music mogul Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, who started at the company as an intern and rose to the ranks of a Vice-President of A&R signing such acts as Mary J. Blige, Jodeci and Father MC.
Richard Wayne Penniman, better known as Little Richard, was one of the most influential singer songwriters in popular music.
Bob Dylan performed covers of Little Richard’s songs on piano during a high school talent show with his rock and roll group, the Golden Chords.
On tours that included groups of music stars, Little Richard and other artists such as Fats Domino and Chuck Berry would allow audiences Black and white to enter buildings via the same door but sit in separate places — but everyone would dance.
He was ranked eighth on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and Rolling Stone listed three of Little Richard’s recordings, “The Girl Can’t Help It,” “Long Tall Sally” and “Tutti Frutti”, on their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
