Richard Wayne Penniman (born December 5, 1932), known by the stage name Little Richard, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist, and actor, considered key in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950s.
He was also the first artist to put the funk in the rock and roll beat and contributed significantly to the development of soul music.Little Richard's retiring! Richard announced that he'll retire from show business next year, and dedicate his life to God. "I'll be 70 years old this year, and in fact I should be thankful that I still have health because all my friends are dead and gone and God has let me still be here." The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame web site entry on Penniman states that:
Little Richard, backed up by his idol Billy Wright once referred to him as the most fantastic entertainer he had ever seen. Indeed, it was Wright who used a makeup called Pancake 31. Little Richard admitted to copying Wright's penchant for heavy makeup and wild stage theatrics.
Little Richard, backed up by his idol Billy Wright once referred to him as the most fantastic entertainer he had ever seen. Indeed, it was Wright who used a makeup called Pancake 31. Little Richard admitted to copying Wright's penchant for heavy makeup and wild stage theatrics.
With a public persona and personal life marked by sexual ambiguity, he would make his mark with later hits such as the suggestive "Tootie Fruity" and "Great Gosh Almighty". Unbeknownst to many fans, Richard overcame a debilitating drug habit and eventually became an ordained minister. Beginning in the 1980s he saw a resurgence in his popularity as he acquired small acting roles where he impressed fans, old and new, with his unique comedic timing.
I sometimes get asked by my friends why I like the rock ‘n roll of the 50s so much. The answer is very simple: The saxophone played such a dominant role in those bands, that I’m automatically drawn to the music like that of no other decade.
I sometimes get asked by my friends why I like the rock ‘n roll of the 50s so much. The answer is very simple: The saxophone played such a dominant role in those bands, that I’m automatically drawn to the music like that of no other decade.
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