Oxford American. Gone was the sheen that made him a star but he still had the piano skills and was reportedly working as a parking lot attendant in between occasional performing gigs.
Three years later, Esquerita would die from AIDS complications at a hospital in Harlem. But despite his tragic turn of fortunes, Esquerita is considered an icon in many rock and roll circles, and he knew it.
About Little Richard, he said “When I met (Little) Richard, he wasn’t using the ‘”‘obbligato’ voice. Just straight singing,” which seemed to acknowledge the influence he had on adding to Richard’s persona.
Although some say they were equally influenced by each other, it is surely true that there would be no one without the other.