album · August 1, 1970

The Rill Thing

Little Richard

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Rhino/Warner RecordsSee this day

rhythm and bluesrockgospel

The Rill Thing marked a significant turning point for Little Richard, as he abandoned the flamboyant persona of his early career to explore a more restrained, gospel-infused sound. This album represents a bold, if commercially challenging, artistic statement in a pivotal year for the artist.

• The Rill Thing was released on the Rhino/Warner Records label.
• The album was released on August 1, 1970.
• The genres represented on this release are rhythm and blues, rock, and gospel.

Richard Penniman, known as Little Richard, was a pioneering architect of rock and roll, blending gospel fervor with R&B and boogie-woogie piano. In 1970, he was in the midst of a period of spiritual re-evaluation, having renounced rock and roll and embraced a gospel-influenced sound.