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Little Richard (Richard Wayne Penniman)

December 5, 1932 – May 9, 2020

Born in Macon, Georgia, Little Richard was the third of 12 children.
His father, Bud, was a stern man who made his living selling

moonshine and didn’t do much to hide his disdain for his son’s
early signs of homosexuality. At the age of 13 Richard was ordered
to move out of the family home, and his
relationship with his father was never
repaired.

Two of his uncles, as well as his grandfather,
were preachers, and Richard was involved with
the church as much as anyone in his family,
singing gospel and eventually learning to play

the piano.

It is almost impossible to convey the awfulness
of popular music in the UK in the 1950s.
Largely comprised of ersatz ballads, childrens’
and novelty songs (Where Will The Dimple

Be?) as well as string-laden instrumentals it
was bland and safe and uninspiring. Then
along came rock ‘n’ roll.

In September 1955, Richard stepped into the
recording studio and pumped out,Tutti Frutti’, an instant Billboard hit that reached No. 17 in the
US. Coupled with the efforts of Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elwood Pretzle, the world was
never the same again. In the next 18 months, Little Richard assaulted us with the likes of ‘Long
Tall Sally’, ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’ and ’Send Me Some Lovin’. Thundering piano, screaming,

shouted vocals, the ubiquitous baritone sax and suggestive lyrics—oh my, what a change. It was
wonderful. Some Brits tried but did not make an impact for some years.

After his rock career faded, Richard went back to his roots, making a nomber of excellent gospel
records.

In addition to his records, Little Richard appeared in several early rock films, such as Don’t Knock
the Rock (1956), The Girl Can’t Help It (1957) and Mister Rock ‘n’ Roll (1957).

R&B pioneer Johnny Otis stated that "Little Richard is twice as valid artistically and important

historically as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones put together."