Little Richard aka the Father of Rock and Roll, played his last jam earlier today from his Tennessee home after struggling with a long term battle of bone cancer. Known for being overly flamboyant and having that ear for sounds from a grand piano he always slayed in fashion, bringing the house down for over seven decades and surpassing his counterparts; Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and Fats Domino.
Between his hair and stage presence, he was truly nothing but influential. Born Richard Wayne Penniman, in Macon, GA he slipped and slid his personality into hits like; “Good Golly Miss Molly, Long Tall Sally, Lucille” and more.
According to People, his agent Dick Allen was quoted, “I knew he wasn’t well but he never really got into it, he just would say 'I’m not well.' He’s been suffering for many years with various aches and pains. He just wouldn’t talk about it much.”
Bob Dylan took to Twitter and said, “he was my shining star”. Little Richard set it off with so many lifetime stories, from BET, to LogoTV impersonations from Kennedy Davenport on RuPauls Drag Race All Star Edition. How could you not remember, his “Tutti Frutti” sample in Young Money rapper, Lil Chuckee’s “Wop”. Richard in his death leaves behind his only child, Danny Jones Penniman. May he rest in eternal peace.
#Gaye’s what’s your favorite Little Richard song?