Little Richard, one of the biggest stars in rock history, died at the age of 87. The information was confirmed in May 9, 2020 by the musician’s son, Danny Penniman, to Rolling Stone magazine. The cause of death was bone cancer, the musician’s lawyer Bill Sobel revealed
The musician was responsible for countless hits throughout his career, starting with “Tutti Frutti” in 1956, and going through “Long Tall Sally”, “Rip It Up”, “Lucille” and “Good Golly Miss Molly”.
He also inspired other renowned names in world music, such as the Beatles, who made a version for “Long Tall Sally”, and Elton John.
Life and Career
Born on December 5, 1932, in Macon, Georgia, Richard Wayne Penniman grew up around religious uncles. He even sang in church, but his father did not support his son’s life as a musician and accused him of being gay. At the age of 13, today the rock legend left home and moved in with another part of the family.
In his childhood in Georgia, Little Richard grew up listening to rapturous gospel singers in black churches and this influenced his singing.
He also learned to play the piano in his teens, an instrument that would help him to become a rockstar. He was elected by Rolling Stone as the 8th greatest music artist of all time.
Two bands that opened Little Richard concerts in the beginning of their careers were The Beatles and Rolling Stones, in the early 60s. “Little Richard Meets Masayoshi Takanaka” from 1992 is the last album released by the musician. Since that release he just participated in some recordings throughout the years and toured until 2013.
Little Richard last public performance:
His final concert was made when he was 81 years old. In an interview with Rolling Stone Little Richard announced the retirement: “I am done, in a sense. I don’t feel like doing anything right now.”
The musician was troubled by sciatica and a degenerating hip, performed sparingly in the beginning of the 10s. In June 2012, he was forced to stop a show. He said to the crowd: “Jesus, please help me – I can’t hardly breathe. It’s horrible.”
But he recovered and was the headliner in the 2013 Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend.