Richard Wayne Penniman (December 5, 1932 – May 9, 2020), better known by his stage name Little Richard, was an American singer-songwriter and pianist. He was a prominent figure in popular music for more than seven decades and is often associated with the early development of rock and roll. Much of his most influential work dates from the mid-1950s, when his energetic performances and music, characterised by fast-paced piano playing, a strong backbeat, and powerful raspy vocals, contributed to the emerging rock and roll sound. His vocal style and rhythmic approach also influenced the development of other genres, including soul and funk, and his work had a lasting impact on rhythm and blues and popular music more broadly. His 1955 single "Tutti Frutti" became a major hit and crossed over to the pop charts in both the United States and the United Kingdom. His next single, "Long Tall Sally" (1956), reached number one on the Billboard Rhythm and Blues Best-Sellers chart and was followed by a series of additional hit singles over the next several years. In 1962, after a five-year period during which he had largely left rock and roll to focus on religious activities following his conversion to born-again Christianity, concert promoter Don Arden persuaded him to tour Europe. During parts of this tour, the Beatles performed as a supporting act. Little Richard has been described as one of the early Black artists to achieve crossover success with racially diverse audiences. His performances attracted both Black and white listeners during a period when racial segregation was still common in the United States. A number of contemporary artists, including Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Everly Brothers, Gene Vincent, Pat Boone, and Eddie Cochran, recorded versions of his songs. He received numerous honours and awards during his career. In 1986 he was among the first group of artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Recording Academy and the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. In 2015 he received the Rhapsody & Rhythm Award from the National Museum of African American Music. In 2009 "Tutti Frutti" was added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. Main albums Here's Little Richard (1957) Little Richard (1958) The Fabulous Little Richard (1958) Pray Along with Little Richard (1960) Pray Along with Little Richard, Vol. 2 (1960) The King of the Gospel Singers (1962) Little Richard Is Back (And There's a Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On!) (1964) Little Richard's Greatest Hits (1965) The Incredible Little Richard Sings His Greatest Hits – Live! (1967) The Wild and Frantic Little Richard (1967) The Explosive Little Richard (1967) Little Richard's Greatest Hits: Recorded Live! (1967) The Rill Thing (1970) Mr. Big (1971) The King of Rock and Roll (1971) Friends from the Beginning – Little Richard and Jimi Hendrix (1972) The Second Coming (1972) Right Now! (1974) Talkin' 'bout Soul (1974) Little Richard Live (1976) God's Beautiful City (1979) Lifetime Friend (1986) Shake It All About (1992) Little Richard Meets Masayoshi Takanaka (1992) Southern Child (2005)
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