Little Richard;Rock and roll's archiet and first wildman dies at 87

"RIP to Little  Richard. The man who invented it. Elvis popularized it. Chuck Berry was the story teller"- Steven Van Zandt (Little Stevie)

"A-bop-bop, a-loo-mop,  a-lop-bop-bop"




This past weekend , rock n roll lost the last of it's founding fathers. That man was Little Richard. Richard, along with fellow heavyweights Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry undoubtedly created what we know today as rock n roll . Born Richard Wayne Penniman in Macon Georgia, on December 5th, 1932, Richard was the 3rd of 12 children of Leva Mae and Charles Penniman. His family was very religious and always attended Sunday masses . Richard was a Baptist and Pentecostal . Pentecostal churches sparked Richard's interest because of the charismatic worship and the lively music, which would help seal his legacy later on in his life. For his musical influences , his favorite singer growing up was gospel legend Sister Rosetta Tharpe.


His musical career began as early in 1947, when his idol Sister Rosetta Tharpe invited a then 14 year old Penniman to open her show at the Macon City Auditorium and she encouraged Richard to become a performer . For his piano playing, Richard's has stated that he was inspired to pick up the instrument because of Ike Turner's piano on the Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cat's EP "Rocket 88" which is credited to be the first rock and roll song ever recorded.


Although his record Here's Little Richard released by Specialty records in 1957 charted big in the United States and United Kingdom, Little Richard's greatest success was his singles . Throughout his decade long career, he had a slew of #1 hits including "Tutti Frutti, "Rip it Up, "Lucille" and "Keep a Knockin" which would inspire the iconic open drum groove for John Bonham on Led Zeppelin IV.

Aside from his musical career, Little Richard would loosely "quit rock n roll" and would take part in the church community serving as a minister and most famously ministered Steven Van Zandt's and Tom Petty's weddings.

Little Richard's influence on future rock n roll and legacy cannot be omitted. His style was fast , in your face, and flamboyant and because of his flamboyant swagger and intensity would inspire future legends like Mick Jagger, Elton John, and Freddie Mercury . He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 as part of the founding class.  Little Richard was truly ahead of his time and his music , and style would be the bedrock for rock n roll . Thank you Little Richard you wild , beautiful soul. You're legacy will live on forever and you will be truly missed.