Little Richard Life and Music Video

Classic Rock and Roots

Richard Wayne Penniman (December 5, 1932 – May 9, 2020), better known by his stage name Little Richard, was an American singer-songwriter and pianist. He was an influential figure in popular music and culture for seven decades. Described as the "Architect of Rock and Roll", Richard's most celebrated work dates from the mid-1950s, when his charismatic showmanship and dynamic music, characterized by frenetic piano playing, pounding backbeat and powerful raspy vocals, laid the foundation for rock and roll. Richard's innovative emotive vocalizations and uptempo rhythmic music played a key role in the formation of other popular music genres, including soul and funk. He influenced singers and musicians across musical genres from rock to hip hop; his music helped shape rhythm and blues for generations.

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00:00Little Richard was probably the most flamboyant of the early fathers of rock and roll.

00:07Richard's flamboyance, which usually manifested itself in colorful clothing and animated behavior,

00:15also found expression through Richard's claims that he had invented rock and roll music.

00:21Nevertheless, he was a singer, pianist, and songwriter of the highest order,

00:25and one of the most influential figures in rock and roll history.

00:30Richard was born Richard Wayne Penniman in Macon, Georgia, in 1932.

00:36He started his career as an R&B singer and pianist, making his first recording in 1951 with the single, Taxi Blues, which was recorded for RCA.

00:50Richard recorded several more singles before he scored his first big hit with Tutti Frutti in 1955.

00:58The next year would see Richard record a slew of hits, including the classic songs

01:05Long Tall Sally, Slippin' and Slidin', Ready Teddy, and Rip It Up.

01:11In 1957, a full-length album of Richard's songs would appear.

01:18That album was known as Here's Little Richard, one of rock music's first masterpieces.

01:25The album contained all of Richard's hit singles up to that point, and other fine tracks as well.

01:38Another classic album would follow in 1958 with Little Richard, featuring the classic songs

01:47Keepin' Knockin', Good Golly Miss Molly, Lucille, and The Girl Can't Help It.

01:56Richard's popularity and fine piano chops helped him to position the piano as an important instrument in early rock and roll.

02:04In the 1950s, Richard disappeared from the pop music scene as quickly as he had appeared,

02:12turning to Bible studies at a theological college.

02:18He would record only gospel music for the next four years.

02:22Little Richard eventually returned to rock and roll and toured,

02:26and made numerous public appearances up until his passing on May 9, 2020, at the age of 87.

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