50s - Little Richard

Little Richard

Little Richard (nee Richard Wayne Penniman) is a Rock 'n' Roll legend whose influence can be heard in the work of countless artistes like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

In the mid- and late 50s, his no-holds-barred vocal style, explosive music, charismatic persona and untamed stage show shocked the older generation and earned him hordes of teenage fans.

His frantically charged piano playing and raspy, shouted vocals on such classics as "Tutti Frutti", "Long Tall Sally" and "Good Golly, Miss Molly" defined the dynamic sound of rock and roll.

"Tutti Frutti", his first Rock 'n' Roll classic was recorded in September 1955. It rocketted into the R&B Top 5 and entered the US Pop chart too. "Long Tall Sally" proved even more successful; it topped the R&B chart and was his first US Top 10 hit. Both "Tutti Frutti" and "Long Tall Sally" entered the UK Top 3 too.

This was followed by "The Girl Can't Help It", "She Got It", "Lucille", "Keep A knockin'", "Jenny Jenny" , "Good Golly Miss Molly", and "Baby Face", etc - all major transalantic hits.

He was among the first artiste inducted in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. He was also presented with a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 1993 and a similar award from the R&B Foundation a year later.