Little Richard was a flamboyant early rock and roll singer and pianist, with a frenetic style, who made many classic hits including Tutti Frutti", "Long Tall Sally" and "Good Golly Miss Molly". He incorporated gospel sounds into his music, laying the foundation for soul and funk music. Little Richard was torn by ambivalence about his sexuality and religious beliefs, which perhaps added an edge to his performances.
Richard Wayne Penniman was born in Macon, Georgia in 1932, in a religious Christian family. At an early age he started singing in churches, and he began playing the piano as a teen. Little Richard started recording for the Peacock label in 1951, but without much success.
His breakthrough came in 1955 with his recording of "Tutti Frutti", which reached #17 on the pop charts, a song later performed by Elvis Presley. In the next few years he recorded hits that included "Long Tall Sally", "Rip It Up", "Slippin' and Slidin'", "Good Golly Miss Molly" and "The Girl Can't Help It". He also appeared in the rock & roll oriented movies "Don't Knock the Rock" and "The Girl Can't Help It".
In 1957, Little Richard quit the music business to become a Christian minister, and began performing only gospel music. During this time he played with Mahalia Jackson, who had been an early influence on his style. But he was lured back to the popular music scene in the 1960s, touring and performing with (then) unknown artists such as the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix. He continued to work the rock & roll circuit with varying success, gradually slipping into drug abuse in the 1970s.
In 1977 he returned to the ministry. Although he has continued to perform and record, his music is now inspired by his strongly held religious beliefs.
Tutti Frutti
Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On
LinksHistory of Rock: Little Richard
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