LITTLE RICHARD

The Architect of Rock and Roll

BIRTH/DEATH

Richard Wayne Penniman was born on December 5, 1932, in Macon, Georgia.

He has not died yet.

MEMBERS OF THE GROUP

Little Richard typically was a solo artist but occasionally had other famous people work with him such as Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Cochran, and Gene Vincent.

MUSICAL INFLUENCE

Richard grew up on a dirt street in an impoverished section of Macon, Georgia. Music was all around him.

He sang gospel with the Penniman Singers and Tiny Tots Quartet as a child.

Esquerita Bill Wright

EARLY RECORDS

1951-won a talent competition that led to a contract with RCA Victor.

Then he recorded 2 singles.

IMPORTANT RECORDINGS/PERFORMANCES

“Little Richard’s Boogie” “Tutti Frutti” “Freedom Blues” He also performed at Bill Clinton’s

inauguration.

TYPE OF MUSIC

Little Richard played a type of music that was a mixture of blues and early rock and roll.

INSTRUMENTS/SINGING

Other than singing Little Richard played piano in most of his music.

U.S. HISTORY AT THE TIME

Civil Rights movement. Korean War was starting. 1972-Terrorists attacked Olympic

Games 1973-U.S. leaves Vietnam 1985-Wreck of Titanic found

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://history1900s.about.com/od/timelines/tp/1980timeline.htm

http://www.history-of-rock.com/richard.htm