The New York Times - Louder: Remembering Little Richard

an appraisal

Little Richard: An Ecstasy You Couldn’t Refuse

He was a challenge to 1950s proprieties, wrapped in a package of pleasure and freedom. Hear 17 of his essential songs.

By Jon Pareles

critic’s notebook

Little Richard Wasn’t Conceited. He Was Underappreciated.

After his career in music, the rock ’n’ roll innovator took up the task of maintaining his legacy — because nobody else was going to do it.

By Wesley Morris

No Prince Without the King

The pompadour, the pancake, the pantsuits, the pink — in style as in music, Little Richard led the way.

By Guy Trebay

the playlist

Aventura’s Stripped-Down Livestream, and 10 More New Songs

Hear tracks by Future, Rico Nasty, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith and others.

By Jon Pareles, Jon Caramanica and Giovanni Russonello

Remembering Tony Allen and Florian Schneider, Two Pillars of Rhythm

Thousands of miles apart, and with radically different tools, both musicians were innovating.

critic’s notebook

A Jazz Pianist Flips Bach Upside-Down

Dan Tepfer has programmed a computer to invert the “Goldberg” Variations. Take a listen.

By Anthony Tommasini

recently viewed

Steve Earle’s Week: Pining for New York and Singing With His Son

With the play featuring his music, “Coal Country,” on hold, the musician is trying to get its message — about miners killed in a disaster — out via his songs.

By Olivia Horn

admiration society

Laurie Anderson and Michael Stipe on Music, Art and New Chapters

“You’ve got to fall on your face to sit at the table,” says the erstwhile R.E.M. frontman.

By Joe Coscarelli

Betty Wright, Soul Singer Who Mentored a New Generation, Dies at 66

She had her first hit, “Clean Up Woman,” when she was only 17 and became a key player in the Miami funk sound of the 1970s.

By Rob Tannenbaum

Millie Small, ‘My Boy Lollipop’ Singer, Is Dead at 73

Her 1964 smash hit was a breakthrough for Jamaican music. But she later became “one of the most elusive performers in pop history.”

By Steven Kurutz

those we’ve lost

Ty, British Rapper Who Bridged Generations and Genres, Dies at 47

His sound didn’t fit neatly into any hip-hop archetypes, and he pushed to make room for unconventional voices.

By Jon Caramanica

Eurovision’s Canceled, but Not for These Fans

Europe’s annual song contest would have had its final this Saturday. Its devoted followers aren’t letting its coronavirus-related cancellation slow them down.

By Alex Marshall

Travis McCready Concert Is Postponed, but Not Happily

The decision came after Arkansas officials barred the concert, billed as the first since the virus hit, and pulled the venue’s liquor license.

By Graham Bowley

‘We’re Just Horrified’: Why a Springsteen Sideman Took On Nursing Homes

After his mother-in-law was infected with the coronavirus, a guitarist for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band became determined to make nursing homes accountable.

By Nick Corasaniti

The Tiny Radio Stations That Lift Spirits in Hospitals

Volunteer-run broadcasters are a British tradition. During the pandemic, they’re cheering patients up with jazz standards and soft rock.

By Alex Marshall

A 92-Year-Old Piano Teacher Won’t Let Students Miss Bach in the Pandemic

Cornelia Vertenstein, a Holocaust survivor, is still teaching piano lessons over FaceTime from her Denver home.

By John Branch

the charts

Kenny Chesney’s No. 1 Album Reopens Debate Over Ticket Bundles

The country star’s “Here and Now” beat Drake’s “Dark Lane Demo Tapes,” but Chesney’s tally was bolstered by sales from tickets to now-postponed concerts.

By Ben Sisario

6ix9ine Returns With New Song and Defiant Livestream: ‘I Ratted’

The rapper was released from prison early because he was vulnerable to the coronavirus. He released his first new track, “Gooba,” then spoke candidly to an audience of two million.

By Ben Sisario