Little Richard, known as the founding father, godfather, the innovator, the originator, and the architect of rock & roll, died on Saturday (9th) at 87. CNN reports Dick Alen, Richard’s former agent, confirmed his death, revealing he died in Nashville with his brother and son by his side. The cause of death is related to bone cancer. Little Richard was one courageous, creative innovator who followed his own path, which led to being one of the pioneers in rock & roll. His charismatic spirit, along with shocking people in the 1950s with his flamboyance along with his piano-playing, “devil music” skill set, has left one unforgettable mark. Little Richard brought people of all backgrounds together with songs such as “Tutti Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally.” His influence has left a mark in many genres of music, including metal.
The rock and metal community have reacted via social media on the legend’s passing. We collected a few tributes and you can read them below:
Rock Is Dead
Little Richard
The Right Reverend Penniman
The Architect of Rock & Roll
Is Gone
Roll has lost it’s Soul
It’s 1st most daring & outrageous Forefather.
Rest In Power FOREVER
GOOD GOLLY!
🌹— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) May 9, 2020
Stunned. Got the terrible news this morning from Danny Simmons FB feed. Met Andre around the time I met Diddy in the BlackFamous 90’s. Sad for his family, his friends, his artists. #COVID19AIn’tPlayin.
🌹 https://t.co/7lSfFnBmmq— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) May 9, 2020
No Jimi, No Beatles No Bowie, No Bolan. NO GLAM, No Freddie, No Prince, No Elton, No Preston No Sly, No Stevie, WITHOUT Little Richard!They DON’T HAPPEN Without HIM BLAZING A TRAIL IN THE DARK in sequence, if he had his SHIRT ON AT ALL, AT THE PIANO, SCREAMING LIKE A WHITE WOMAN
— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) May 9, 2020
Yes. And he was FANTASTIC in the studio. https://t.co/Ofhdtu9R4e
— Vernon Reid (@vurnt22) May 9, 2020
Little Richard was one of the original rock ‘n’ rollers– He was THE ORIGINAL GLAM ROCKER, and he took a lot of abuse for being in the first wave. He forged a path for all of us who followed. pic.twitter.com/LKTxaPa2S2
— Joan Jett (@joanjett) May 9, 2020
I was once asked, “If u could meet one person, who would it be?” I always said Little Richard. Because, to me, he was rock & roll’s most joyous, rebellious innovator.
Thank u for planting that seed, Richard. The world is a much happier place thanks to ur music.#RIPLittleRichard pic.twitter.com/kiq2VOZs8O— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) May 9, 2020
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) May 9, 2020
God bless little Richard one of my all-time musical heroes. Peace and love to all his family. 😎✌️🌟❤️🎵🎶💕☮️ pic.twitter.com/H2lzKbX3tm
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) May 9, 2020
Without a doubt – musically, vocally and visually – he was my biggest influence. Seeing him live in my teens was the most exciting event in my life at that point. Goosebumps, electricity and joy came from every pore. pic.twitter.com/Enno1mgfTO
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) May 9, 2020
Our RESPECT to the ARCHITECT of Rock N Roll #LittleRichard pic.twitter.com/QpGXLat22j
— Living Colour (@LivingColour) May 9, 2020
Little Richard was a performer so riveting, so extraordinary, that #JimiHendrix was his sideman and #JamesBrown his opening act. THANKYOU for everything. THANKYOU for rock n roll. https://t.co/9AiUcBaOhk
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) May 9, 2020
The Architect
Thank you!
RIP #LittleRichard pic.twitter.com/Dks6SjYWCy— Corey Glover (@RevDaddyLove) May 9, 2020
No @ledzeppelin just listen to the intro of “Rock and roll”sounds a bit like “Keep a Knockin”-met #LittleRichard a few times at the Hyatt on sunset, he was vibrant & talkative . He broke down huge walls and influenced many British lads- in turn that came back here to influence us https://t.co/i2nxFNEtlJ
— Charlie Benante (@skisum) May 9, 2020
Luke Skywalker aka @HamillHimself used a @vurnt22 meme/quote! The Force IS Strong! https://t.co/VCdMGQLLJR
— Living Colour (@LivingColour) May 10, 2020
From ‘Tutti Frutti’ to ‘Long Tall Sally’ to ‘Good Golly, Miss Molly’ to ‘Lucille’, Little Richard came screaming into my life when I was a teenager. I owe a lot of what I do to Little Richard and his style; and he knew it. He would say, ‘I taught Paul everything he knows’. pic.twitter.com/96bOzphhs8
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) May 10, 2020
Although he had a good run, making it to nearly 90 (light years in rock’n’roll), yesterday’s announcement that #LittleRichard has left us leaves a gaping hole in music and the world at large (continued)https://t.co/e1s82JRNrt pic.twitter.com/czFU0o4jsg
— Alex Skolnick (@AlexSkolnick) May 10, 2020
RIP Little Richard, a very sad loss. My thoughts are with his loved ones.
It’s Little Richard’s songs that pioneered rock’n’roll. I got to hear him and his band at the Newport Lounge in Miami and boy were they good. pic.twitter.com/JXgahhJAfk— Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) May 9, 2020
Sadly, Little Richard passed away today. A founding Father of Rock And Roll, his contributions simply can’t be overstated. I had the honor of meeting Richard in his later years and was awed by his presence. He told me, “I am the architect of Rock And Roll.” Amen! ..Rest In Peace. https://t.co/ceQuNU6pkF
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) May 9, 2020
R.I.P. Little Richard!!!! You were one of the PIONEERS of Rock and Roll…Without you, a lot of us would be playing a polka somewhere!!! Go to sleep King!!!! The band upstairs just keeps getting better!!! #Godblesstheking pic.twitter.com/gxWQsEoBM0
— John Corabi (@Crablegs59) May 9, 2020
I grew up on the music of Little Richard. He was one of my fathers favorites and therefore he became one of mine. He was an amazing musician, writer and singer who always delivered a song with an unmatched level of… https://t.co/pQcNAdSVBv
— MichaelSweet Stryper (@michaelhsweet) May 9, 2020
So sad to hear that my old friend Little Richard has passed. There will never be another!!! He was the true spirit of Rock’n Roll! pic.twitter.com/yU1EJmjejU
— Keith Richards (@officialKeef) May 9, 2020
Let’s all let out a WOOOO! for a true rock and roll original, Little Richard. https://t.co/8vvGCw2gXo
— Sacred Reich (@SacredReich) May 9, 2020
RIP #LittleRichard the architect of rock n roll… pic.twitter.com/685HKldASk
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) May 9, 2020
I was once asked, “If u could meet one person, who would it be?” I always said Little Richard. Because, to me, he was rock & roll’s most joyous, rebellious innovator.
Thank u for planting that seed, Richard. The world is a much happier place thanks to ur music.#RIPLittleRichard pic.twitter.com/kiq2VOZs8O— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) May 9, 2020
I’m very sorry to hear about Little Richard. He was there at the beginning and showed us all how to rock and roll. He was a such a great talent and will be missed. Little Richard’s music will last forever.
Love & Mercy, Brian pic.twitter.com/kcak6Rf4Re— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) May 9, 2020
LITTLE RICHARD Is A Cornerstone In The Very Foundation Of Rock & Roll. An Icon. A Songwriter And Performer With A Personality To Match. RIP Superstar. pic.twitter.com/Sdl6Yh59ex
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) May 9, 2020
In the late 1980s, I was walking down Hollywood Blvd, a black limo drove by slowly, Little Richard waved at us from the back window with a crazy look on his face. A giant in Rock and Roll music.
— Krist Novoselić (@KristNovoselic) May 9, 2020
Here’s the Monday Night Football band I assembled for Hank Jr. featuring Little Richard. https://t.co/QPs6Snyut2
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) May 9, 2020
RIP…HUGE Influence & Inspiration on how I started projecting my voice…HUGE…Still Astonishes Me When I Hear Him Sing…
💖💖💖
Little Richard Dies At 87 | HuffPost https://t.co/tcgNl1iIu5— David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) May 9, 2020
RIP one of the greatest ever. 😞Little Richard, Rock Pioneer Who Broke Musical Barriers, Dead at 87 – Rolling Stone https://t.co/F2XyTgZhbw
— Ben Koller (@BenKoller) May 9, 2020
RIP To one of the originators of Rock n Roll https://t.co/fv19pIgwYI
— Sick Of It All (@SOIANYC) May 9, 2020
I just heard the news about Little Richard and I’m so grieved. He was my shining star and guiding light back when I was only a little boy. His was the original spirit that moved me to do everything I would do.
— Bob Dylan (@bobdylan) May 9, 2020
Our thoughts and condolences go out to Little Richard’s family and friends during this difficult time.
