Editorial Staff
Who is Little Richard?
Little Richard, also known as Richard Wayne Penniman (born December 5, 1932) and known as Little Richard, was an influential American musician who contributed to the development and popularity of rock and roll. He excelled in various musical capacities, including vocalist, songwriter, and pianist. Little Richard’s position as one of the pioneers of the genre is due to his immense talent and imaginative style, which has influenced mainstream music’s direction.
| Real Name/Full Name | Richard Wayne Penniman |
| Date Of Birth | 5 December 1932 |
| Died | 9 May 2020 |
| Age | 92 years old |
| Birthplace | Macon, Georgia, United States. |
| Nationality | American. |
| Religion | Christianity. |
| Zodiac sign | Sagittarius |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inch |
| Weight | 62 kg |
| Marital Status | Ernestine Campbell (Divorce) |
| Children | Danny Jones Penniman |
| Siblings | Ernestine Campbell |
| Profession | Singer, and Pianist. |
| Net worth | $40 Million |
Biography
Little Richard, who became one of the most influential musicians in the United States, was born in Macon, Georgia on December 5, 1932. His parents, Charles Penniman and Leva Mae Stewart, raised him and he lived with his two siblings, Robert
Little Richard was a teenager who attended Hudson High School. Little Richard’s musical talents were further developed by playing in the band during his time at this school. In the late 1950’s through the early 1960’s, Little Richard put his music career on hold so he could attend college at Oakwood College. During his time there, he devoted his studies to theology.
Personal Life
Ernestine Campbell, who would become Little Richard’s only wife, was first introduced to him during an evangelical rally in October 1957. Their relationship went from strength to strength, as they began dating in the same year.
Little Richard and Ernestine Campbell got married on July 12, 1959, which was a memorable date in California. As the years progressed, Richard’s family remained small and close-knit, with only himself and his adopted son, Danny Jones Penniman.
Career
Richard was inspired to preach by May, a singer evangelist who was called the “Thunderbolt of the Middle West” for his amazing vocal range and strength. Richard’s most popular song, ‘Tutti Frutti’, which was released in 1955, quickly reached the top of the pop charts in both the US and the UK. In 1956, Long Tall Sally’s next smash record made him the Billboard Rhythm and Blues Best-Sellers chart’s top ranked artist. Over the course of less than three years, he produced fifteen more hit singles. His performances during this time resulted in a mix of African Americans and White Americans in the audience. Don Arden, the concert organizer, managed to convince Richard to go on a European tour in 1962 after Richard had given up rock and roll music for five years.
He eventually returned to his roots in rock and roll in the 1960s, and continued to create music and entertain audiences for several decades, including the 2000s.
In 1956, Little Richard acted in the film Don’t Knock the Rock for the first time. In spite of this, he didn’t return to acting until the mid-1980s. In 1984, he returned to the screen with an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman. He appeared in several other television shows and films besides talk shows. He started his acting career with Bustin’ Loose, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, and Purple People Eater.
The 1990s was when his acting career took off. Mostly working in small roles on episodes of television shows and films, he would occasionally appear on a talk show, such as The Drew Carey Show. Sunset Heat, Last Action Hero, Last Action Hero, Baywatch (1995), Nightman, and Homeboys in Outer Space are just a few of the most well-known works he created in the 1990s.
Discography
- Here’s Little Richard (1957)
- Little Richard (1958)
- The Fabulous Little Richard (1958)
- Pray Along with Little Richard (1960)
- Pray Along with Little Richard (Vol 2) (1960)
- The King of the Gospel Singers (1962)
- Little Richard Is Back (And There’s A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On!) (1964)
- Little Richard’s Greatest Hits (1965)
- The Incredible Little Richard Sings His Greatest Hits – Live! (1967, live)
- The Wild and Frantic Little Richard (1967, compilation)
- The Explosive Little Richard (1967)
- Little Richard’s Greatest Hits: Recorded Live! (1967, live)
Net Worth
Little Richard, who was known as the ‘Architect of Rock and Roll’, had an estimated net worth of $40 million prior to his passing in 2020. His extensive music collection and publishing rights, which are still generating revenue from royalties and licensing agreements, are factored into this amount.
