Little Richard was born Richard Wayne Penniman in Macon, Georgia, on December 5, 1932. The flamboyant performer and self-proclaimed "architect of rock & roll" began his prolific run of hits at Specialty Records with "Tutti Frutti" in 1956. The smash hit "Long Tall Sally" followed a few months later, and by 1957, Richard had also sent "Good Golly Miss Molly," "Jenny Jenny," "The Girl Can't Help It," "Keep a Knockin'" and "Slippin' and Slidin' (Peepin' and Hidin') to the top of the charts. At the height of his success, Richard quit rock & roll and began recording gospel music, but he returned to rock in 1962 with a comeback tour in Britain. Richard's tremendous contribution to rock's foundation earned him an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and a Lifetime Achievement Award during the 35th annual Grammy Awards in '93. He has also appeared in a number of films, including in The Girl Can't Help It (1956), Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986) and Mystery, Alaska (1999).

Reviews

• The Very Best of...Little Richard
• The Okeh Sessions

Features

• Ask Blender: December 2003