Little Richard

Little Richard

American musician (1932–2020)
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Little Richard
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Richard Wayne Penniman (December 5, 1932 – May 9, 2020), known professionally as Little Richard, was an American musician, singer, and songwriter. 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 back beat and raspy shouted vocals, laid the foundation for rock and roll. Richard's innovative emotive vocalizations and uptempo rhythmic music also played a key role in the formation of other popular music genres, including soul and funk. He influenced numerous singers and musicians across musical genres from rock to hip hop; his music helped shape rhythm and blues for generations.

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Little Richard was born on Monday, 5 December 1932 in Macon, Georgia, USA. His full name at birth was Richard Wayne Penniman. He was best known as a musician. Richard's country of citizenship (nationality) was American. He died on Saturday, 9 May 2020 in Tullahoma, Tennessee, USA at the age of 87. He is buried at Oakwood University Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Huntsville, Alabama, USA. His religion is listed as Baptist. He was 5' 10" (178 cm) tall and weighed 154 lbs (70 kg) with an average build. He had dark brown eyes and dark brown hair (color). His zodiac star sign was Sagittarius.

You can find people similar to Little Richard by visiting our lists Singer-songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state) and 20th-century American male singers.

Full name at birth
Richard Wayne Penniman
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Claim to fame
rock and roll hits including 'Tutti Frutti', 'Good Golly Miss Molly' and 'Long Tall Sally'
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Date of birth
5 December 1932
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Place of birth
Macon, Georgia, USA
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Date of death
9 May 2020
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Age
87 (age at death)
Place of death
Tullahoma, Tennessee, USA
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Cause of death
Bone Cancer
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Resting place
Oakwood University Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Huntsville, Alabama, USA
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Occupation
Singer-songwriter, musician
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Occupation category
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Nationality
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PERSONAL DETAILS

Height
5' 10" (178 cm)
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Weight
154 lbs (70 kg)
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Build
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Hair color
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Eye color
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Gender
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Ethnicity
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Sexuality
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Religion
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Zodiac sign
Distinctive feature
  • Makeup, androgynous look and bisexuality...
  • Playing piano with hands and feet...
  • Self-proclaimed "Architect of Rock 'n' Roll"...
  • Powerful voice punctuated by high-pitched screams and moans...
  • His beaming, wide smile...
  • Over-the-top wigs...
  • Performing style was brash, bold and extroverted...
  • 'A wop bop alu-bop, a wop-bam-boom!'...
  • Playing piano standing up...
  • Not known for his modesty...
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ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Residence
Macon, Georgia, USA
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I wore the make-up so that white men wouldn't think I was after the white girls. It made things easier for me, plus it was colorful too.
  • Little Richard was good friends with Ike Turner. He wrote the introduction to Ike's autobiography, Takin' Back My Name: The Confessions of Ike Turner.
  • Little Richard stated that he was inspired to play the piano after hearing his piano intro on "Rocket 88" and later used it note for note on "Good Golly, Miss Molly."
  • Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003.
  • Has one leg three inches shorter than the other; would sometimes wake up from a night of partying, with one pant-leg cuff noticeably frayed from walking barefoot.
  • Life-long friend of James Brown since they were teenagers.

Little Richard is known for his role in the film The Pickle (1993) as performer: "Good Golly Miss Molly".

He is also known for his role in the film Purple People Eater (1988) as performer: "Good Golly Miss Molly".

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