Biography
Little Richard, born Richard Wayne Penniman on December 5, 1932, in Macon, Georgia, was the third of twelve children in a deeply religious family. He grew up singing gospel in church and with family groups like the Penniman Singers and Tiny Tots Gospel Quartet, developing his signature vocal style early on. His father, a preacher and moonshine seller, was stern and disapproving of Richard’s flamboyance and homosexuality, which led to Richard leaving home as a teenager[2][4].
Richard’s musical journey began in the church but quickly expanded into secular music. He performed in traveling shows and drag acts, and was influenced by gospel, boogie-woogie, and rhythm and blues. After winning a talent contest in Atlanta, he signed his first record deal with RCA in 1951, but initial recordings failed to gain traction. His breakthrough came in 1955 with Specialty Records, where his energetic performances and hits like “Tutti Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally” helped define the sound and style of early rock and roll[1][2][3].
Little Richard’s flamboyant persona, wild piano playing, and electrifying stage presence set him apart as a pioneer of rock and roll. He fused gospel’s intensity with R&B rhythms, influencing generations of musicians. Despite periods of withdrawal from music to pursue religious interests, he continued to perform and record into the 1980s, balancing his roles as entertainer and evangelist. His legacy is profound: Little Richard is widely credited as one of the architects of rock and roll, inspiring countless artists and leaving an indelible mark on popular music[1][2][3][5].
Fun Facts
- Little Richard performed in drag under the name 'Princess LaVonne' during his early career[3].
- He abruptly left rock and roll at the height of his fame in 1957 after an apocalyptic vision, choosing to study religion and become a minister[1].
- Richard’s hit 'Tutti Frutti' was originally a risqué song, rewritten for mainstream audiences before its release[2].
- He officiated celebrity weddings and appeared in commercials and films, such as 'Down and Out in Beverly Hills' (1986)[1].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Invited Richard to open her show and paid him, inspiring his professional ambitions. (Live performance at Macon City Auditorium) [1947]
- Esquerita (Steven Quincy Reeder, Jr.) - Taught Richard piano and influenced his flamboyant style. (General musical mentorship) [Late 1940s]
- Billy Wright - Influenced Richard’s showmanship, style, and introduced him to a local DJ for his first recordings. (General musical mentorship) [Early 1950s]
Key Collaborators
- The Upsetters - Little Richard’s backing band during his early career and tours. (Live performances, touring band) [1950s]
- Jimi Hendrix - Guitarist in the Little Richard Show during tours in the early 1960s. (Touring band member) [Early 1960s]
Artists Influenced
- The Beatles - Little Richard’s vocal style, stage presence, and songs directly influenced the band; they performed with him in Hamburg. (Early Beatles performances, covers of Little Richard songs) [1960s]
- Elton John - Cited Little Richard as a major influence on his piano playing and performance style. (General influence on Elton John’s career) [1970s onward]
- Prince - Inspired by Little Richard’s flamboyant persona and genre-blending music. (General influence on Prince’s style) [1980s onward]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Here's Little Richard (Deluxe Edition) | 1957-03 | Album |
| Good Golly! | 1969-01-01 | Album |
| The Essential Little Richard | 1985-01-01 | Album |
| Little Richard: The Georgia Peach | 1980-01-01 | Album |
| Get Down With It!: The OKeh Sessions | 1966 | Album |
| King Of Rock And Roll | 1971 | Album |
| The Rill Thing | 1970 | Album |
| Little Richard Is Back (And There's A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On!) | 1964-08 | Album |
| Get Down With It!: The OKeh Sessions | 1966 | Album |
| The Soul Of Little Richard | 2024-06-03 | Album |
| Specialty Sessions | 1989-01-01 | Album |
| The Founding Father of Rock | 2025-06-20 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Tutti Frutti (Here's Little Richard (Deluxe Edition))
- Long Tall Sally (The Thing) (Here's Little Richard (Deluxe Edition))
- Good Golly, Miss Molly (Good Golly!)
- Lucille (Good Golly!)
- Rip It Up (Here's Little Richard (Deluxe Edition))
- Ready Teddy (Here's Little Richard (Deluxe Edition))
- Good Golly, Miss Molly
- Keep A Knockin' (Good Golly!)
- Good Golly Miss Molly
- Slippin’ And Slidin’ (Peepin’ And Hidin’) (Here's Little Richard (Deluxe Edition))
External Links
Tags: #funk, #new-orleans-r&b, #pop
References
Heard on WWOZ
little richard has been played 12 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station. Showing the 10 most recent plays.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 8, 2026 | 12:39 | The Girl Can't Help Itfrom The Essential Little Richard | New Orleans Music Showw/ Michael Dominici | |
| Dec 12, 2025 | 21:27 | Directly From My Heartfrom The Essential Little Richard | Music of Mass Distractionw/ Black Mold | |
| Dec 11, 2025 | 19:14 | i'm so lonesome I could cry | R&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri | |
| Dec 8, 2025 | 14:32 | LONG TALL SALLYfrom THE GEORGIA PEACH | Blues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe | |
| Dec 3, 2025 | 15:22 | Baby Facefrom The Essential Little Richard | Sittin' at the Crossroadw/ Big D | |
| Nov 27, 2025 | 21:40 | lovesick blues. | R&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri | |
| Nov 20, 2025 | 19:28 | i don't know what you got | R&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri | |
| Oct 31, 2025 | 01:32 | Time Warp | Midnight Music | |
| Oct 23, 2025 | 13:04 | The Girl Can't Help Itfrom The Essential Little Richard | New Orleans Music Showw/ Michael Dominici | |
| Oct 9, 2025 | 19:37 | i saw her standing there. | R&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri |