Little Richard

Little Richard (born Richard Wayne Penniman, December 5, 1931 in Macon, Georgia) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist, and an early pioneer of rock and roll. One of twelve children, Little Richard says he "came from a family where my people didn't like rhythm and blues. Bing Crosby - 'Pennies from Heaven' - Ella Fitzgerald, was all I heard." (Hamm 1979, p.391) Raised in the Seventh Day Adventist church, he learned gospel music in Pentecostal churches of the U.S. South. His early recording career in the 1950s was a mix of blues music and rhythm and blues, heavily steeped in gospel music, but with a driving beat and breathlessly delivered lyrics that marked a decidedly new kind of music.

Discography

• 1956 - Cast a Long Shadow
• 1957 - Little Richard, Vol. 1
• 1957 - Little Richard, Vol. 2
• 1957 - Little Richard, Vol. 3
• 1957 - Here's Little Richard
• 1959 - The Fabulous Little Richard
• 1960 - Clap Your Hands
• 1960 - Pray Along with Little Richard, Vol. 1
• 1960 - Pray Along with Little Richard, Vol. 2
• 1962 - King of the Gospel Singers
• 1963 - Sings Spirituals
• 1964 - Sings the Gospel
• 1965 - Little Richard Is Back
• 1965 - The Wild and Frantic Little Richard
• 1967 - The Explosive Little Richard
• 1967 - Rock N Roll Forever
• 1969 - Good Golly Miss Molly
• 1969 - Little Richard
• 1969 - Right Now
• 1970 - Rock Hard Rock Heavy
• 1970 - Little Richard
• 1970 - Well Alright!
• 1971 - Mr. Big
• 1971 - The Rill Thing
• 1971 - The Second Coming
• 1972 - Dollars
• 1972 - The Original
• 1972 - You Cant Keep a Good Man Down
• 1973 - Rip It Up
• 1974 - Talkin' 'Bout Soul
• 1974 - Recorded Live
• 1975 - Keep a Knockin'
• 1976 - Sings
• 1976 - Little Richard Live
• 1977 - Now
• 1988 - Lucille
• 1992 - Shake It All About
• 1996 - Shag on Down by the Union Hall