Little Richard, A Chance Meeting Fondly Remembered

Credit: Shutterstock (22290003) Little Richard in Concert Viva Los Vegas Rockabilly



The news of Little Richard passing caused me to immediately recall my one time chance meeting with him. Everyone knows of his music and flamboyant lifestyle, but what I witnessed and recall so fondly is another story altogether.
I was having lunch in Morrison's Cafeteria in Columbia Mall, Columbia, South Carolina one fine day in the late 1990's, and had just settled into the chair and sat my tray on the table when a loud murmur filled the spacious dining room. I looked up from my plate of smothered chicken and yellow rice to find the cause for the unusual interruption to my noon meal. At this point in my career, I was the Store General Manager of the Sears store at the opposite end of the mall, and my lunch at Morrison's was generally quite uneventful.
Making his way through the line accompanied by several body guards was none other than Little Richard himself. This was confirmed through a number of whispers and chants of his name by the many soldiers from Fort Jackson seated and enjoying their noon meal. The cafeteria was a regular lunch spot for them as well.
As the star of rock and roll and his escort made their way through the line and approached a table to enjoy their repast, so did a number of the young men and women in uniform, hoping to get a chance to chat or get an autograph from the celebrity. His bodyguards were having none of it and halted the advances while explaining that he was enjoying a good Southern meal and shouldn't be disturbed. You could visibly see the slumping shoulders and feel the disappointment from the roughly dozen uniform clad Army crowd that had approached the table.
Little Richard was having none of the bodyguards "having none of it", stood up and said something to the effect "these are my fans and they are wearing the uniform of our country, let them come on".
For several minutes he patiently, and adoringly spoke with and signed every autograph requested of him. And at last, he was able to sit back down to a now cold lunch and begin eating.
He paused, and called one of the bodyguards over, and whispered in his ear. I wondered what that could be all about. He was only a couple of tables away from where I sat, but I could make out none of the conversation.
After a few minutes Little Richard got up from his lunch-time meal and in doing so, we made eye contact. He gave me a little grin and nod, and I a little salute in return. Then, he and his men left the cafeteria.
As the throng of young warriors got up to leave, they were approached by someone representing management, and each handed a voucher for their next meal at Morrison's.
Since you paid at the end of the line at Morrison's, Little Richard could not buy them lunch. But, in appreciation, he wanted them to have the next one on him. It was the request he had given in his bodyguard's ear, and he had handled the details of the errand in secrecy.
So, every time I hear "Long Tall Sally", Good Golly Miss Molly", or "Tutti- Frutti" come across the radio, I think of not only his music, but the kind person I witnessed-- with no fanfare--take care of our troops that day in Morrison's Cafeteria in Columbia, South Carolina.
If you have taken the time to read this, maybe now you will, too.

Keith

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