NEW YORK — Rock and roll legend Little Richard died Saturday morning, his pastor and close friend Bill Minson said. He was 87.
Little Richard, considered to be the founding father of rock and roll, died at his Tennessee home, TMZ reported. His bass guitarist, Charles Glenn said he had been ill for two months.
Fox13Now said Richard’s son, Danny Penniman, told Rolling Stone the cause of death was unknown.
Born Richard Wayne Penniman, Little Richard burst onto the music scene in 1956 with the hit song “Tutti Frutti.”
Known for his piercing wail, pounding piano and towering pompadour, he irrevocably altered popular music while introducing black R&B to white America.
Little Richard sold more than 30 million records worldwide, and his influence on other musicians was equally staggering, from the Beatles and Otis Redding to Creedence Clearwater Revival and David Bowie. His musical legacy also includes “Long Tall Sally” to “Good Golly Miss Molly.”
Read the full story here: Fox13Now.com.
Written by WPIX STAFF, Fox13Now.com.
Copyright 2019, KSTU. A Tribune broadcasting station