Little Richard
American musician (1932-2020) · United States · On the map · Musicians · Died at 87
Richard Wayne Penniman, better known by his stage name Little Richard, was an American singer-songwriter and pianist. He was an influential figure in popular music and culture for seven decades.
Little Richard is read about 2,167 times a day, in 61 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 6 November 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 400 days, one point a day.
Something wrong?People around Little
Close ties
- Robert Blackwell Produced Here's Little Richard and Lucille
Alvin Tyler Bandmate in Little Richard and His Band
Paul Mazursky Directed Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986)
Gene Vincent Duets: Estúpido Cupido
Elvis Presley Duets: Estúpido Cupido
David Bowie Influenced by Little
Prince Influenced by Little
Ray Charles Duets: Estúpido Cupido
Dean Martin Duets: Estúpido Cupido
Quincy Jones Produced The King of the Gospel Singers (1962)
Paul Anka Duets: Estúpido Cupido
Bobby Darin Duets: Estúpido Cupido
Pat Boone Duets: Estúpido Cupido
John McTiernan Produced Last Action Hero (1993)
Trini Lopez Duets: Estúpido Cupido
Sister Rosetta Tharpe Influenced by Little
Jay Roach Directed Mystery, Alaska (1999)- Frank Tashlin Directed The Girl Can't Help It (1956)
Betty Thomas Directed The Late Shift (1996)
David E. Kelley Produced Mystery, Alaska (1999)Maysa Matarazzo Duets: Estúpido Cupido
Don Carmody Produced The Late Shift (1996)
Léo Jaime Influenced by LittleCelly Campello Duets: Estúpido Cupido
Also in Deutsch
Media & music
Listen
SpotifyPhotos 11
A poster for a Little Richard show, c. 1956
"Good Golly, Miss Molly", 45 rpm recording on Specialty Records
Little Richard in 1966
Little Richard in 1967
Little Richard holding a photograph of himself at a Best Buddies International event, 1998
President Bill Clinton greets Little Richard at the White House in 1994
Little Richard performing in 2007Awards
About this person
Referred to as the "Architect of Rock and Roll", Richard's most celebrated work dates from the mid-1950s, when his charismatic showmanship and dynamic music, characterized by frenetic piano playing, pounding backbeat and powerful raspy vocals, laid the foundation for rock and roll. Richard's innovative emotive vocalizations and uptempo rhythmic music played a key role in the formation of other popular music genres, including soul and funk. He influenced singers and musicians across musical genres and his music helped shape rhythm and blues for generations.
