Richard Wayne Penniman, aka “Little Richard,” has passed away at age 87. Per his son Danny Penniman the cause of death was bone cancer.
Little Richard is one of the founding fathers and pioneers of rock and roll. With his signature moustache and boisterous live show, he entertained audiences around the globe for more than half a century.
Throughout his life Little Richard struggled with his sexual identity, at times openly referring to himself as gay or bisexual and, at other points in his life during periods of religious fervency, denouncing homosexuality as a sin. Through it all he remained an entertainer.
Our thoughts go out to Little RIchard’s family, friends, and fans.
Below is Little Richard performing his classic song “Tutti Frutti” in 1995.
the white drew carey (aka – Jeff Sorley) is the founder and head editor of TGEFM. He’s lived (outside of) Chicago, Madison WI, (ugh) Penn State, Lyon FR, Oxford UK, central New Jersey, and now within earshot of SFO in the Bay Area. When not scouring the web for more great bands and labels to post about, he also spends time drawing (mostly) silly sci-fi and anime stuff under the name Asplenia Studios.
