| The King of Rock and Roll | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | October 1971 | |||
| Recorded | 25 May – 2 July 1971 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 42:34 | |||
| Label | Reprise | |||
| Producer | H.B. Barnum | |||
| Little Richard chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [1] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [2] |
The King of Rock and Roll is an album byLittle Richard, released in 1971.[3][4] It was his second album forReprise Records. It was rereleased as part of theKing of Rock and Roll: The Complete Reprise Recordings set.[5]
The King of Rock and Roll was produced and arranged byH. B. Barnum.[6] It contains one original Little Richard song, thegospel rock "In the Name", and a new song co-written by Barnum, "Green Power", the album's single. The rest of the tracks are covers. The title track is a mockbraggadocio that referencesTom Jones,Elvis Presley,Ike & Tina Turner,Sly and the Family Stone andAretha Franklin, among others. The album title and cover art were inspired by Little Richard's image in the early 1970s, when he would often appear in public wearing robes, jewelry, and a crown.[7]
The album received a largely negative review inRolling Stone, whereVince Aletti stated: "Much of the album seems designed around the Talk Show Personality rather than the Singer, giving it the sticky veneer of a jive extravaganza."[8] Reviewing the album as part of the Reprise collection,The Austin Chronicle deemed it a "pandering covers concept."[9]
Rest of personnel unknown, records not kept by Reprise.
| Chart (1971) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USBillboard Top LPs | 193[10] |