Little Richard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Little Richard
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Little Richard in 2007
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Richard Wayne Penniman |
| Born | December 5, 1932 Macon, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | May 9, 2020 (aged 87) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock and roll, rhythm and blues, Gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Piano, Voice |
| Years active | 1951-2020 |
Richard Wayne Penniman (born December 5, 1932 – died May 9, 2020), known as Little Richard, was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He was one of the first and most important creators of rock and roll music in the 1950s.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Richard Wayne Penniman was born in Macon, Georgia, on December 5, 1932. He was the third of twelve children. His family was very religious. They went to different churches, and some family members became ministers. Richard loved the churches with lively music and worship.
He remembered that people in his neighborhood sang gospel songs all day. This helped them stay positive during a time when there was a lot of poverty and unfair treatment because of race. People sang to feel close to God and to forget their troubles.
Richard had a very loud singing voice. He was sometimes told to stop singing in church because he was "screaming and hollering" too loud! This earned him the nickname "War Hawk." As a child, he would sing while beating on steps, tin cans, and pots. This sometimes annoyed his neighbors.
He went to Hudson High School in Macon. He learned to play the alto saxophone and joined his school's marching band. While in high school, he worked part-time at the Macon City Auditorium. He sold Coca-Cola at concerts for famous performers like Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
Music Career and Rock and Roll Success
Little Richard started his music career in 1951. He first made gospel and jazz-influenced rhythm and blues songs. He didn't become famous until 1955. That's when he added a loud drum beat, powerful gospel-style singing, and fast boogie-woogie piano playing. This exciting new sound became known as rock and roll. Little Richard had a huge impact on many rock and roll musicians who came after him.
His song "Tutti Frutti" (1955) became a huge hit right away. It was popular in both the United States and the United Kingdom. His next hit, "Long Tall Sally" (1956), reached number one on the R&B charts. He then had fifteen more hit songs in less than three years!
Little Richard was one of the first black artists whose music was loved by people of all races. His concerts brought black and white people together. This was important because of the unfair racial separation happening at the time. Many other famous musicians, like Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis, recorded their own versions of his songs. Elvis Presley even told Little Richard that his music was a big inspiration.
In 1957, when he was at the peak of his fame, Little Richard decided to stop playing rock and roll. He went to Bible college and became a church preacher. For many years, he only played Gospel music. Later in life, he returned to playing rock and roll, but he also continued to perform Gospel music.
Achievements and Awards
Little Richard received many honors for his amazing music. He was one of the first people to be put into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. He was also added to the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
He received special awards for his lifetime achievements from The Recording Academy and the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. In 2015, he received an award from the National Museum of African American Music. This award recognized his important role in creating popular music and helping to end racial separation in music in the 1950s.
His song "Tutti Frutti" was added to the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2010. They said his "unique vocalizing over the irresistible beat announced a new era in music."
Some of his other awards include:
- 1984: He was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
- 1990: He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- 1993: He received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
- 2003: He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- 2008: He received a star on Nashville's Music City Walk of Fame.
- 2015: He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
Death
Little Richard passed away on May 9, 2020, at his home in Tullahoma, Tennessee. He was 87 years old and died from bone cancer. His brother, sister, and son were with him. Many famous musicians, including Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, and Mick Jagger, shared their sadness and respect for Little Richard. He is buried in Huntsville, Alabama.
Images for kids
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A poster for a Little Richard show, c. 1956
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"Good Golly, Miss Molly", 45 rpm recording on Specialty Records
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Little Richard in 1966
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Little Richard in 1967
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Little Richard holding a photograph of himself at a Best Buddies International event, 1998
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President Bill Clinton greets Little Richard at the White House in 1994
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Little Richard in 2007
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Little Richard in concert
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Little Richard, interviewed during the 60th Annual Academy Awards, 1988
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See also
In Spanish: Little Richard para niños
