Little Richard, is an American
singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist, and actor, considered key in the transition from rhythm and blues
to rock and roll
in the 1950s. He was also the first artist to put the funk
in the rock and roll beat and contributed significantly to the development of soul
music. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
website entry on Penniman states that:
He claims to be "the architect of rock and roll", and history would seem to bear out Little Richard’s boast.
I came from a family where my people didn't like rhythm and blues. Bing Crosby - "Pennies from Heaven" - Ella Fitzgerald, was all I heard.
"I wanna introduce a man that started a kind of music that set the pace for a lot of what's happening today. Ladies and gentlemen, if you don't mind, here is my man, bless his little sweet heart, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Little Richard!"
"Little Richard was a one-of-a-kind show business genius. He influenced so many people in the business."
"Little Richard is my idol."
"Your music has inspired me - you are the greatest."
"Little Richard is the beginning of Rock 'n' Roll."
"Richard is an original, and the songs he's written and the songs he's done and made famous are just one of a kind."
"Little Richard represented what I wanted to be. He was, and still is, my idol."