Little Richard, born Richard Wayne Penniman in Macon, Georgia and known internationally as one of the founders of what would become rock'n'roll, passed away Saturday of bone cancer, at the age of 87.
The artist enjoyed the last moments of his big, beautiful life at his family home in Tennessee, said Richard's agent, Dick Alen in a statement. Richard struggled with poor health for several years, including hip problems, a stroke, and a heart attack.
Officially earning the nickname at the age of 15, Little Richard took the music industry by storm at age 23 with his gospel roots and unapologetically flamboyant style, following what has been described as a challenging childhood.
With a story to tell and a voice to share, he made a name for himself in the 1950s, tearing up the stage and tickling the ivories in songs like Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally and Good Golly, Miss Molly but his influence on the industry extended far beyond that.
He continued to produce music until the early 2000s, inspiring countless artists along the way, which eventually led to him becoming one of the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
