Remembering Little Richard
Last Saturday, we had to say goodbye to one of rock'n'roll's finest, Little Richard died at 87 as a result of bone cancer - an illness he'd been facing for about two years now, in his Tullahoma, Tenn. home surrounded by his family.
A Legend
Born Richard Wayne Penniman in Macon, Georgia, Little Richard rose to prominence and fame in the mid 50s along with other pioneering artists of the day such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley and His Comets, Fats Domino, and Chuck Berry. He is most remembered for a string of hits such as Tutti Frutti, Good Golly Miss Molly, Long Tall Sally, and Shout.
Although Little Richard was in a musical hibernation for much of the 60s and 70s, he made a arebound in the mid 1980s. In fact, in 1994, he was responsible for singing the theme song for the PBS Kids show, The Magic School Bus. Talk about above and beyond!
He earned many nicknames.
Over the years, Little Richard earned titles such as The Originator, The Innovator, and even The Architect of Rock'n'Roll. In fact, the Rock'n'Roll Hall of fame once wrote an extensive quote regarding Little Richard. "He claims to be "the architect of rock and roll", and history would seem to bear out Little Richard's boast. More than any other performer—save, perhaps, Elvis Presley, Little Richard blew the lid off the Fifties, laying the foundation for rock and roll with his explosive music and charismatic persona. On record, he made spine-tingling rock and roll. His frantically charged piano playing and raspy, shouted vocals on such classics as "Tutti Frutti", "Long Tall Sally" and "Good Golly, Miss Molly" defined the dynamic sound of rock and roll."
Not to mention his influences
Folks do I need to talk about how many artists Little Richard has had influences on? The truth is, he did! Many artists that came up in the 70s, such as Elton John and Mick Jagger often list Little Richard as one of their massive influences. Even the Fab Four have spoken highly of him and his influence.
Little Richard's style, along with the other, aforementioned, pioneering artists of the 1950s, has paved the way for genres such as blus rock and soul.
In the days following his death, Little Richard has received many honors from artists such as Mick Jagger, John Fogerty (CCR actually covered Good Golly Miss Molly), and Elton John.
R.I.P. Little Richard
A Legend
Born Richard Wayne Penniman in Macon, Georgia, Little Richard rose to prominence and fame in the mid 50s along with other pioneering artists of the day such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Haley and His Comets, Fats Domino, and Chuck Berry. He is most remembered for a string of hits such as Tutti Frutti, Good Golly Miss Molly, Long Tall Sally, and Shout.
Although Little Richard was in a musical hibernation for much of the 60s and 70s, he made a arebound in the mid 1980s. In fact, in 1994, he was responsible for singing the theme song for the PBS Kids show, The Magic School Bus. Talk about above and beyond!
He earned many nicknames.
Over the years, Little Richard earned titles such as The Originator, The Innovator, and even The Architect of Rock'n'Roll. In fact, the Rock'n'Roll Hall of fame once wrote an extensive quote regarding Little Richard. "He claims to be "the architect of rock and roll", and history would seem to bear out Little Richard's boast. More than any other performer—save, perhaps, Elvis Presley, Little Richard blew the lid off the Fifties, laying the foundation for rock and roll with his explosive music and charismatic persona. On record, he made spine-tingling rock and roll. His frantically charged piano playing and raspy, shouted vocals on such classics as "Tutti Frutti", "Long Tall Sally" and "Good Golly, Miss Molly" defined the dynamic sound of rock and roll."
Not to mention his influences
Folks do I need to talk about how many artists Little Richard has had influences on? The truth is, he did! Many artists that came up in the 70s, such as Elton John and Mick Jagger often list Little Richard as one of their massive influences. Even the Fab Four have spoken highly of him and his influence.
Little Richard's style, along with the other, aforementioned, pioneering artists of the 1950s, has paved the way for genres such as blus rock and soul.
In the days following his death, Little Richard has received many honors from artists such as Mick Jagger, John Fogerty (CCR actually covered Good Golly Miss Molly), and Elton John.
R.I.P. Little Richard
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