US – We have lost one of the founding fathers to rock and roll music today, Little Richard. Death was confirmed by Rolling Stone, from his son Danny Penniman.
Little Richard pioneered new sounds with classical instruments like the piano and the sax. Songs like Tutti Fruitti in 1956, Long Tall Sally, Rip it up, Lucille and Good Golly Miss Molly in 1958. These songs struck high on the national charts and changed music forever.
Little Richard was born in Macon, Georgia—the second of 12 children. He was kicked out of his family’s home in his teens and taken in by a white family, who ran the club where he first performed.
Other original greats like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Bill Haley all cited Little Richard as an influencer on their music and styles.
Richard later sang the theme song to “The Magic School Bus,” sang “Rubber Ducky” inside a bath tub on “Sesame Street,” and was a guest star on “Pee-wee’s Christmas Special.”
Richard is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, has a lifetime grammy award, and Tutti Fruitti was added to the National Recording Registry in 2010.
