John Lennon’s early musical outlook was shaped by 1950s rock and roll, particularly Elvis Presley, whom he regarded as an almost religious figure. However, hearing Little Richard’s “Long Tall Sally” in 1956 challenged Lennon’s belief that Presley was unrivalled and introduced him to another major influence.

Lennon recalled that a school friend played him the record after they had regularly listened to Elvis together. He said the performance was so powerful that he was left unable to speak, illustrating Little Richard’s profound impact on Lennon and, more broadly, the generation of musicians who would carry rock and roll into the Beatles era.