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Little Richard, one of the founding fathers of rock ‘n’ roll, died on Saturday, May 9 at age 87. His son, Danny Jones Penniman, confirmed his death. His cause of death was bone cancer, the musician’s lawyer Bill Sobel told Rolling Stone.
“I try to be a guide for people, to make their darkness bright and to make the pathway light, and never to condemn or control or criticize,” he once said. With his deliciously distinctive sound Little Richard was indeed a great light and a pioneer who transformed rock and roll. To borrow from James Brown, he was “the first to put the funk in rhythm.”
Mixing blues and gospel Little Richard’s music raised the roof with hits like “Tutti Frutti, “Long Tall Sally” and “Good Golly Miss Molly.” But not only did Little Richard make an indelible mark on music, he inspired legions of musicians with his unique verve, passion and fearless lyrics. As Elton John told Rolling Stone in 1973, “I heard Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis, and that was it.”
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Little Richard’s songs were recorded by everyone from The Beatles to Elvis Costello to The Kinks to The Everly Brothers. In fact, he was so influential to Paul McCartney, the Beatle said that “Long Tall Sally,” was the first song he sang in public. McCartney reportedly said to pull off a little Richard vocal you had to “leave your body.” Bob Dylan even wrote that his goal was “to join Little Richard” in his high school year book. And when he was nine-years-old “ David Bowie bought a saxophone hoping to be like little Richard. “…without him, I think myself and half of my contemporaries wouldn’t be playing music,” said Bowie.
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Born Richard Wayne Penniman in Macon Georgia, Little Richard got his first record deal with RCA when he was 19-years-old. He had 11 brothers and sisters. “I was born in the slums. My daddy sold whiskey, bootleg whiskey,” he told Rolling Stone in 1970. He earned his singing chops singing at church and developed those unmistakable “woo’s” The legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix said it so well. “I want to do with my guitar what Little Richard does with his voice.”
Stars remember Little Richard on Twitter.
I served soul food brunch to Little Richard every Sunday for a year while waitressing at Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch in LA. I was a college student. He tipped me a crisp $100 bill each week on a $75 breakfast with friends. This was 30 years ago. Helped me so much. God rest his soul. https://t.co/L0vo1tPdBv
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) May 9, 2020
Rest In Peace To One Of The True Creators Of Rock And Roll. This Is The Commercial I Directed With Little Richard And Michael Jordan, 1991. pic.twitter.com/51bEV1eYKB
— Spike Lee (@SpikeLeeJoint) May 9, 2020
RIP Little Richard, a very sad loss. My thoughts are with his loved ones.
It’s Little Richard’s songs that pioneered rock’n’roll. I got to hear him and his band at the Newport Lounge in Miami and boy were they good. pic.twitter.com/JXgahhJAfk— Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) May 9, 2020
The Originator. The innovator. The musician, performer who influenced generations of artists….has left. You were AWESOME #LittleRichard!!! Your talent will reverberate forever. Well done sir. Rest well❤ pic.twitter.com/PsFH4SOUZy
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) May 9, 2020
God bless little Richard one of my all-time musical heroes. Peace and love to all his family. ✌️❤️☮️ pic.twitter.com/H2lzKbX3tm
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) May 9, 2020
Little Richard – It Ain’t Whatcha Do, 1965.
Oh. James Marshall Hendrix left-handed on guitar.
Put some respeck on the creators. ‘Do it well or not at all.’ Periodt. pic.twitter.com/IULu6ABfZo
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) May 9, 2020
Little Richard, who was known for his flamboyant and energetic performances, has died. This old “Tutti Fruitti” will miss his style and flair. Play the keys among the stars now, sir. You will be missed.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) May 9, 2020
Isley Brothers, Testify – 1964.
…featuring a certain guitarist who would go on to play with Little Richard the next year. pic.twitter.com/elHcx1NvMR
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) May 9, 2020
Between takes, we all stood quietly while the crew set up the shots. On my right, Billy Preston; on my left, Little Richard. They traded piano riffs, communicating with each other in funky birdsong. Giants. RIP, Little Richard. 2/2
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) May 9, 2020
RIP Little Richard. Thank you americansoulbet for the opportunity to play him while he was alive to see. I’d been lucky to have crossed paths with him a few times and work with him. His voice, his humor, his bravery.… https://t.co/JkwgjHA19z
— Wayne Brady (@WayneBrady) May 9, 2020
I’m very sorry to hear about Little Richard. He was there at the beginning and showed us all how to rock and roll. He was a such a great talent and will be missed. Little Richard’s music will last forever.
Love & Mercy, Brian pic.twitter.com/kcak6Rf4Re— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) May 9, 2020
RIP Little Richard. The man who invented Rock and Roll. Elvis popularized it. Chuck Berry was the storyteller. Richard was the archetype. Maureen and I were so honored being the first marriage he conducted. We were lucky to know him. He lives forever in the Underground Garage. https://t.co/D8NwRKcshi
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) May 9, 2020
Every Pioneer contributed something important. Richard embodied the Spirit of RockNRoll. https://t.co/vmo50dQ4xK
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) May 9, 2020
Source: parade.com
