Little richard autobiography excerpts

Richard Wayne Penniman December 5, — May 9, , known professionally as Little Richard , was an American singer, pianist, and songwriter. He was an influential figure in popular music and culture for seven decades. Described as the " Architect of Rock and Roll ", Richard's most celebrated work dates from the mids, when his charismatic showmanship and dynamic music, characterized by frenetic piano playing, pounding backbeat and powerful raspy vocals, laid the foundation for rock and roll.

Little Richard made himself a star through sheer force of personality, breaking racial and sexual taboos on his way to becoming the primal force of Fifties rock 'n' roll.

Richard's innovative emotive vocalizations and uptempo rhythmic music played a key role in the formation of other popular music genres, including soul and funk. He influenced singers and musicians across musical genres from rock to hip hop ; his music helped shape rhythm and blues for generations. His next hit single, " Long Tall Sally " , hit No.

In , after a five-year period during which Richard abandoned rock and roll music for born-again Christianity , concert promoter Don Arden persuaded him to tour Europe. During this time, the Beatles opened for Richard on some tour dates.

Using Richard’s own words, Charles White chronicles a staggering career that spanned the very inception of rock’n’roll, the rise of The Beatles, tussles with God and the .

Richard is cited as one of the first crossover black artists, reaching audiences of all races. His music and concerts broke the color line, drawing black and white people together despite attempts to sustain segregation. Richard was honored by many institutions. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of its first group of inductees in He was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

His father was a church deacon and a brick mason , [ 2 ] who sold bootlegged moonshine on the side and owned a nightclub called the Tip in Inn. He was a mischievous child who played pranks on neighbors.