It can take a film to clarify things, and this documentary, directed by Lisa Cortes, does precisely that when it comes to identifying the true monarch of rock ’roll. Richard Wayne Penniman—who went by Little Richard (1932-2020)—arrived on the pop music scene in the mid-1950s with a unique and unrestrained style, full of energy, which distinguished him from other performers at the time, achieving considerable success …

I’ll be honest, I wasn't particularly familiar with this mysterious and vibrant figure beforehand, and Lisa Cortes’s film proved to be an absorbing and informative introduction. The documentary combines archival footage with interviews, offering a look at an openly gay man who can legitimately say he "invented" rock 'n roll – responsible for more than a dozen instantly recognizable songs that stick in your head. As i…