''Lifetime Friend'' is an album by

Little Richard Richard Wayne Penniman (December 5, 1932 – May 9, 2020), known professionally as Little Richard, was an American singer, pianist, and songwriter. He was an influential figure in popular music and culture for seven decades. Described as the "Ar ...

, released in 1986 and his first since the release of '' God's Beautiful City'' in 1979. Following that album's release and some 1981 recordings, backing tracks of which were used for TV appearances, Richard had made no recordings while he continued his career in the ministry. Following the release of his autobiography, ''The Quasar of Rock and Roll'', in 1984, Richard reemerged in the public eye and had begun to be recognized for his contributions to popular music as one of the founders of

rock and roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock-n-roll, and rock 'n' roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from African ...

music. Before Richard recorded ''Lifetime Friend'', his mother, Leva Mae, had died; Richard had promised her that he would remain a Christian. For this album, he decided to mix his trademark rock and roll sound with gospel lyrics, in a style that he called "message music" or "messages in rhythm". One track, "I Found My Way", co-written by Richard and one of his young proteges Victor Brooks ll, included a blend of rap vocals and rock and roll. The album was recorded mainly in England, and was issued on WEA in Europe and Warner Bros. Records in the United States. The song, "Great Gosh A'Mighty", co-written by Richard and

Billy Preston William Everett Preston (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006) was an American keyboardist, singer, and songwriter whose work encompassed R&B, rock, soul, funk, and gospel. Preston was a top session keyboardist in the 1960s, backing Little Richa ...

, was released as a single after being featured on the soundtrack to '' Down and Out in Beverly Hills''. It peaked at number 42 on the '' Billboard'' Hot 100 in April 1986, and number 36 in

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

. The album yielded two chart makers overseas.

Track listing

#"Great Gosh A'Mighty" (

, Richard Penniman) – 4:48 #"Operator" (Jesse Boyce) – 4:52 #"Somebody's Comin'" ( John David) – 3:40 #"Lifetime Friend" (Jesse Boyce, Travis Wammack) – 3:38 #"Destruction" (Jesse Boyce, Travis Wammack) – 3:45 #"I Found My Way" (Victor L. Brooks ll, Richard Penniman) – 3:40 #"The World Can't Do Me" (Jesse Boyce, Richard Penniman) – 3:48 #"One Ray of Sunshine" (Darrell Smith, Travis Wammack) – 4:42 #"Someone Cares" (Richard Penniman) – 4:30 #"Big House Reunion" (Travis Wammack) – 4:05

References

Sources

*
Little Richard - Lifetime Friend. (1986)
Discogs.com. {{Authority control 1986 albums Little Richard albums Warner Records albums