Little Richard has died.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

87 years old.

 

"Little" Richard Penniman cited hearing the song "Delta 88" by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats - one of the songs debated as THE first rock and roll song - as his inspiration to take up music as a 14 year old in Georgia.

 

Dude toured with Sam Cooke, Bo Diddley, The Rolling Stones, Billy Preston, Count Basie, Fats Domino, The Isely Brothers, Muddy Waters, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Cab Calloway, James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley...he even gave Jimi Hendrix one of his first paid musical gigs as lead guitar player in his band.

 

Absolute legend.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

[Mack The Knife]

“I am the innovator. I am the originator. I am the emancipator. I am the architect of Rock n’ Roll!”.

[Jumper_Dad]

Straight up legend!

[Runcible Owl]

"Awop-bop-aloobop alop-bam-boom!"

 

Thank you, and rest in peace, Mr. Penniman.

Edited May 10, 2020 by Runcible Owl

[MJAlltheWay24]

Wife had no clue who he was. At first I was shocked. But then I realized, I don't really know that much about him but know he was big.

[The Professor]

I saw an interview with him once where he said that he was the King of Rock & Roll, not Elvis Presley. He said he was there doing it before Elvis.

[Colonels_Wear_Blue]

I saw an interview with him once where he said that he was the King of Rock & Roll, not Elvis Presley. He said he was there doing it before Elvis.

 

In a lot of ways the first half of Elvis' career was just using a guitar to do a slightly bluesier version of what Little Richard was already doing.