Known for his flamboyant showmanship, screaming vocals and raucous keyboards,
Little Richard has often been called the “architect of rock and roll” and is one of the most influential artists in rock history. Rev. Richard Wayne Penniman was born on December 5, 1932 in Macon, Georgia. Bred on gospel music, Little Richard began playing a form of Jump Blues/R&B in the early 50s. Signed to the New
Orleans Specialty Label that saw great promise in his work, Little Richard came out with his first hit, “
Tutti Frutti” in 1955. In 1956 and 1957, backed by ace New Orleans
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’ sessions players, he reeled off a string of signature hit Little Richard songs -- "Long Tall Sally," "Slippin' and "Slidin'," "Jenny, Jenny," "Keep a Knockin'," "Good Golly, Miss Molly," "
The Girl Can't Help It" -- that remain the foundation of his fame. In 1960, at the height of popularity, Little Richard took a hiatus from the music industry to attend Bible college in Alabama, and returned singing gospel songs. He returned to rock and roll in 1962, touring Britain with the likes of the Beatles and
Rolling Stones who both idolized him. He spent the rest of the '60s in a continual unsuccessful comeback, recording for Vee-Jay (accompanied on some sides by
Jimi Hendrix, who was briefly in Richard’s band).
The rock and roll revival of the 60s and 70s jumpstarted Little Richard’s career all over again. Playing on the nostalgia circuit with great success, he amped up his flamboyance, brandishing a six-inch pompadour and mascara every time he performed. With his antics, he also appeared on television talk shows entertaining hosts and audiences alike and cementing h is status as a living rock and roll legend. Since the 1980s, he's maintained his profile through guest roles in movies and commercials and guest appearances on soundtracks, compilations, and children's rock records. At this point it's a pretty safe bet that he is never going to record the much sought after hit comeback album or song, but it almost doesn’t matter; he remains one of rock and roll's most colorful icons, still capable of making a lasting impression with his occasional appearances in the limelight.
