The American pianist Little Richard passed away this Saturday, May 9, 2020. The man who was one of the creators of Rock’n’Roll passed away leaving an impressive and memorable musical heritage behind him.
The interpreter of the emblematic Tutti Frutti song leaves the world of music speechless. Little Richard, one of the world’s most influential artists, died at the age of 87 on Saturday 9 May. His son Danny Penniman confirmed his death to the American music magazine Rolling Stone but did not communicate the cause of his death. He will leave behind him a piece of rock’n’roll history.
Richard Wayne Penniman of his real name was born on December 5, 1932 in Macon, a town in the United States in the state of Georgia. He grew up in a poor family and had 11 brothers and sisters. His father was indifferent to his taste for music and never supported him. Forced to leave home at the age of 13, he moved to the same city to live with another family.
From an early age he sang in church and was noticed by a gospel singer in 1947. As a teenager, he also knew a certain Otis Redding, one of the greatest soul and R&B artists in the world.
The creator of Rock’n’Roll
Nicknamed and regarded as “the innovator, creator and architect of Rock’n’Roll”, Little Richard has been instrumental in the rise of this new musical genre and its subsequent success around the world. He signed his first record label contract in 1951 at the age of just 19, but achieved his first real hit Tutti Frutti in 1956. And this was only the beginning of success for the artist.
Among his emblematic songs were Long Tall Sally, Rip It Up and Lucille and Good Golly Miss Molly. Little Richard went on to inspire some of the world’s greatest bands, including British rock with names such as the Beatles, Elvis Costello, The Kinks and the German band Scorpions. The Rolling Stones performed at the opening acts of his tours.
Little Richard distinguished himself by an incredible and innate talent but also a unique style that he managed to transmit to the whole world. His hairstyle, that long banana and his thin moustache will also remain associated with this founding name of Rock’n’roll. He was a sultry but also very impressive character on stage that no one will soon forget for all that he brought.