Rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Richard Wayne Penniman known famously as Little Richard has passed away at 87-years-old.
A statement from his lawyer, Bill Sobel, noted that the Rockstar succumbed to bone cancer. Penniman’s son, Danny Jones Penniman confirmed his father’s death to Rolling Stone.
Having multiple hits such as “Tutti Frutti,” “Long Tall Sally” and “Good Golly Miss Molly,” Little Richard would impact generations of musicians, including the Beatles who recorded a cover of his “Long Tall Sally” in 1964.
Penniman’s songs would be also covered by the likes of the Everly Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Elvis Costello, among others.
Widely known for his larger than life persona, Little Richard was also a prominent influence for fellow rock ‘n roll icon, Prince.
He was also inducted into the inaugural Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, along with Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Sam Cooke and others.
According to AP News, throughout the course of his career, Little Richard sold more than 30 million records worldwide. He, along with Chuck Berry and Fats Domino also played a prominent role in breaking through the racial injustices in the music industry by bringing what was called “race music” into the mainstream.
Despite his musical success, the singer’s personal life was not without controversy.
Little Richard, who was born on December 5th, 1932, in…
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