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Richard Wayne Penniman (born December 5, 1932), better known by his stage name Little Richard, is an influential American musician who helped shape and establish rock and roll music.
He excelled in multiple musical fields including singer, songwriter and pianist. Little Richard’s extraordinary talent and imaginative style made him one of the pioneers of the genre, influencing the direction of mainstream music.
American singer and pianist
Little Richard | |
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Little Richard: History, Life, Photos | |
Wiki facts and figures | |
Name: | Richard Wayne Penniman |
stage name: | Little Richard |
Date of Birth: | December 5, 1932 (87 years old) |
place of birth: | Macon, Georgia, U.S. |
die: | May 9, 2020 (age 87), Tullahoma, Tennessee, USA |
Country of Citizenship: | American |
educate: | Oakwood University |
high: | 1.77 m |
parents: | Charles Penniman, Leva Mae Stewart |
Brothers and sisters: | Robert Penniman, Tony Penniman |
spouse: | Ernestine Campbell (m. 1959–1963) |
Girlfriend • Partner: | not applicable |
Children: | Danny Jones Penniman |
Profession: | Singer • Pianist |
net worth: | $40 million |
Early life and education
Little Richard is an influential American musician. He was born on December 5, 1932 in Macon, Georgia, USA.
He was raised by his parents, Charles Penniman and Leva Mae Stewart, along with his two siblings, Robert Penniman and Tony Penniman. Richard Jr. attended Ballard-Hudson High School Later graduated from Oakwood University.
Profession
Little Richard was an influential American musician who helped shape and establish rock and roll. He excelled in multiple musical disciplines as a singer, songwriter, and pianist. His immense talent and imaginative style made him one of the pioneers of rock and roll, influencing the direction of mainstream music.
Professional Record Witnessed in New Orleans Assorted Fruits Written by Little Richard in 1955, the song features an energetic piano, a captivating rhythm and a unique vocal style, and quickly became a hit and made it to the pop music charts. This significant event is often considered the beginning of the rock era.
Little Richard’s success continued in the mid-1950s, as he produced hit song after hit song, such as Tall Sally, Excellent, Miss Mollyand LucilleHe cemented his status as a rock pioneer with his energetic performances on stage, showcasing his acrobatic moves and extravagant costumes.
In 1957, at the height of his career, Little Richard made the surprising decision to leave rock and roll. He devoted himself to gospel music, recorded several albums, and furthered his education by attending Bible college. However, he eventually returned to his rock and roll roots in the 1960s and continued to create music and entertain audiences for decades, well into the 21st century.
Social Media
Little Richard does not have a social media account.
Personal life
Little Richard first met his future and only wife, Ernestine Campbell, at a gospel rally in October 1957. From that point on, their relationship grew steadily and they began dating that same year.
Finally, on the memorable day of July 12, 1959, Richard Jr. and Ernestine Campbell tied the knot in a wedding in California. As time went on, Richard’s family became smaller and closer, consisting of just him and his adopted son, Danny Jones Penniman.
Discography
- This is Little Richard (1957)
- Little Richard (1958)
- The Amazing Little Richard (1958)
- Praying with Little Richard (1960)
- Praying with Little Richard (Volume 2) (1960)
- The King of Gospel (1962)
- Little Richard is Back (Exciting!) (1964)
- Little Richard’s Greatest Hits (1965)
- The Incredible Little Richard sings his greatest hits live! (Live, 1967)
- Wild and Crazy Little Richard (1967, compilation)
- Exploding Little Richard (1967)
- Little Richard’s Greatest Hits: Live! (1967, Live)
net worth
Known as the “founder of rock and roll,” Little Richard had an estimated net worth of $40 million before his death in 2020. This amount takes into account the value of his extensive music collection and publishing rights, which still generate income from royalties and licensing agreements.