What is Little Richard?
{{Infobox musical artist |Name = Little Richard |image = Little Richard in 2007 (cropped).jpg |caption = Little Richard in 2007 |Landscape = Yes |Background = solo_singer |Birth_name = Richard Wayne Penniman |birth_date = {{birth date|1932|12|5}} |birth_place = [[Macon, Georgia]], [[United States|U.S.]] |death_date = {{death date and age|2020|5|9|1932|12|5}} <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/little-richard-dead-48505/|first=David|last=Browne|title=Little Richard, Founding Father of Rock Who Broke Musical Barriers, Dead at 87|publisher=Rolling Stone|date=May 8, 2020|accessdate=May 8, 2020}}</ref> |death_place = [[Tullahoma, Tennessee|Tullahoma]], [[Tennessee]], U.S. |Occupation = [[Musician]], [[songwriter]] |Instrument = [[Piano]], [[singing|vocals]] |Genre = [[Rock and roll]], [[rhythm and blues]], [[Gospel music|Gospel]] |Years_active = 1951–2020 |Label = }} '''Richard Wayne Penniman''' (December 5, 1932 – May 9, 2020), known by his stage name '''Little Richard''', was an [[Americans|American]] recording artist, songwriter, and musician. He was one of the early creators of [[rock and roll]] music in the 1950s. ==Career== In 1951 Little Richard began his music career by making [[gospel music|gospel]] and [[jazz]] influenced [[rhythm and blues]]. He did not sell many records until 1955 when he added a loud drum beat and loud Gospel-style singing and [[boogie-woogie]] piano playing. This new music would come to be known as of [[rock and roll]]. Little Richard influenced many rock and roll musicians who started after him. In 1957, when he was at his most popular point, Little Richard quit rock and roll music. He went to Bible college and became a church preacher. He then went on to play only Gospel music for many years. He returned to playing rock and roll when he was older, and also continued playing Gospel music. In 1986, Little Richard was added into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]. He was one of the first seven people to