Little Richard
Richard Wayne Penniman, one of a dozen children in a Seventh-day Adventist family entered the world during the great Depression on December 5, 1932 at Macon, Georgia.
Influenced by gospel music, at 18 years of age Richard won a talent contest in Atlanta that led to an unsuccessful recording contract with RCA Victor. Five years later his screaming vocal style and suggestive lyricâs to the song âTutti Fruitiâ landed him a recording contract with Specialty Records, but only after the words were changed did the effort give him his first chart success in 1956.
In two years Little Richard recorded fifty songs for Specialty. âLong Tall Sallyâ hit the top ten in 1956, âJenny, Jennyâ and âKeep A Knockinââ in 57â and âGood Golly, Miss Mollyâ in 1958. Among his other chart hits were, âSlippinâ and Slidinââ, âRip It Upâ, âReady Teddyâ, âThe Girl Canât Help Itâ, âLucilleâ, âBaby Faceâ, âSend Me Some Lovinââ and âOoh! My Soulâ.
Little Richardâs flamboyant appearance and performance on stage set the standard for others to follow, including Jerry Lee Lewis and Elton John.
Little Richard was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 1993, given a Pioneer Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1994 and in 2003 was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.