Little Richard, Rock’n’Roll Pioneer, Dies at 87

Little Richard, one of the pioneers of rock and roll, has passed on at 87.

According to Rolling Stone, Richard’s son, Danny Penniman, “confirmed the pioneer’s death  but said the cause of death was unknown”.

The singer had been in poor health for several years, suffering hip problems, a stroke, and a heart attack.

“Rest in peace, Richard. This one really stings. My thoughts and prayers go out to all my bandmates and fans all over the world. Richard truly was the king,” Kelvin Holly, his band member said while paying tribute to the late legend.

The Rocket Man singer once told Rolling Stone: “I heard Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis, and that was it.

“I didn’t ever want to be anything else. I’m more of a Little Richard stylist than a Jerry Lee Lewis, I think. Jerry Lee is a very intricate piano player and very skillful, but Little Richard is more of a pounder.”

Who is Little Richard?

Richard, whose real name was Richard Penniman, was born in Macon, Georgia in December 1932.

His career began when in the late 1940s but his early recordings with the RCA Victor label garnered little success. His breakthrough came when he signed to Specialty Records in 1955, releasing a run of wild and flamboyant singles – Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally, Rip It Up, The Girl Can’t Help It, Lucille, Keep A-Knockin, Good Golly and Miss Molly, among others – that made him a star on both sides of the Atlantic.

Richard‘s songs became a huge part of rock ‘n’ roll history and were covered multiple times by several artistes, including The Everly Brothers, The Kinks, Elvis Costello, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Bill Haley. He was also known on stage for his outrageous dance moves and costumes.

The singer was among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s first class of inductees in 1986. He received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy and performed at Bill Clinton‘s presidential inauguration in 1992. The Library of Congress added Tutti Frutti to the National Recording Registry in 2010.