Video of the Week #80

Because Black people were seldom booked on network television, we have few early videos of even some of the most popular pioneers of rock and roll. Fortunately, there were low budget movies. Here's Little Richard lip-syncing "Tutti Frutti" from the 1956 film Don't Knock the Rock. Unfortunately, he's not looking at the camera, and he's upstaged by dancers.

"Long Tall Sally" from the same film is more watchable. The tenor sax solo is by Lee Allen. The three men seated at the table are Alan Freed, Bill Haley and pop singer Alan Dale, the male lead of the film.

Richard also appears briefly on screen (in color) in The Girl Can't Help It, but his performance is buried by the film's insipid dialogue.

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