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David Bowie: a multi-character artist
The following year, however, he interrupted his career after the murder of his father. With few records sold and having to provide for his family, Richard begins washing dishes at a Macon bus station.
Success with ‘Tutti Frutti’
In 1953, he formed a band, The Upsetters, with Charles “Chuck” Connors, Wilbert “Lee Diamond” Smith, Nathaniel “Buster” Douglas, Olsie “Bassy” Robinson, Clifford “Gene” Burks, and Grady Gaines. Little Richard and the band performed at clubs between 1953 and 1955.
In 1955, in front of composer and major music producer Robert Bumps Blackwell, he beat a boogie woogie beat on the piano and improvised the lyrics for “Tutti Frutti”, a song he had written and performed on stage for years until then. Blackwell was so impressed that he instructed him to repeat the presentation when the study session resumed. The result was the historical recording, which soon spread throughout the world.
Little Richard on display in 2009
Photo: AP Photo
After “Tutti frutti” came the hits “Slippin ‘& Slidin”, “Long tall Sally”, “Ready Teddy”, “Rip it up”, “Lucille”, “Keep a knockin”, “Jenny Jenny”, “Good golly Miss Moly. “
As fame grew, Little Richard became in demand for rock and roll movies as well: “Don’t Touch the Rock” (1956), “The Girl Can’t Help It” (1956), and “The King Rock and Roll” (1957), which established him as one of the pioneers of rock.
Beatles opened their shows
In 1957, a shift interrupts the requested concert program. During a trip to Australia, Little Richard abandoned rock to embrace the Bible, becoming a pastor and gospel singer. At that time, he married Ernestine Campbell and released his first religious album, “God is Real.” The evangelical career lasted only four years, as did her marriage.
In 1962, he returned to rock and stage, touring Britain and Germany with the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, who opened his shows and idolized him.
In the late 1970s, the duality that marked his life had returned: After a period of drug abuse, when he spent around a thousand dollars a day on addiction, Richard again turned away from rock to embrace evangelical Christianity. , becoming a preacher and bible vendor, singing the gospel, and giving up rock, drugs, and homosexuality itself.
Infographic: ten facts that changed rock
In 1979, he released the gospel album “The Beautiful City of God”. As a preacher, he performed weddings for Cyndi Lauper and David Thornton, Bruce Willis, and Demi Moore, and spoke at funerals for musician friends Wilson Pickett and Ike Turner.
In 1984, the publication of Charles White’s biography “The Life and Times of Little Richard” sparked another musical return for the singer.
Cinema and retreat
Among the many awards won are Lifetime Achievement, during the 35th Grammy Award, in 1993; and the American Music Award in 1997.
In 2000, his career was told in the movie “The Little Richard Story” starring Leon Robinson.
In the 2010s, with severe sciatic nerve pain and degenerative hip problems, Little Richard began reducing the number of shows. In September 2013, at the age of 80, he announced his retirement. The musician said he made that decision after failing to finish a concert in June 2012 in Washington.
On social media, some of the biggest names in rock mourned the death of pioneer Little Richard.
Mick jagger
“I am very saddened to hear of Little Richard’s death, it was the biggest inspiration in my teens and his music still has the same raw electrical energy when you play it now as it did when you first played on the music scene in the mid to late the 50s. When we were on tour with him, I watched his movements every night and learned from him how to entertain and attract audiences, and he was always very generous with advice to me. He contributed a lot to popular music. I miss you Richard, who God bless you “.
Elton John
“Without question, musically, vocally, and visually, he was my biggest influence. Seeing him live as a teenager was the most exciting event of my life at the time. Chills, electricity, and joy came from every pore. His records still sound fresh. and the opening seconds of ‘Tutti Frutti’ are the most explosive in music history.
I was lucky to work with him on my album ‘Duets’ in 1993. He was shy and funny, and I was SO nervous. The song we recorded “The Power” is one of my favorites in my catalog. We also played live at the Beverly Hilton and I felt I had died and gone to heaven.
It has influenced many and is irreplaceable. A true legend, icon and a force of nature. #RIP Little Richard.
With love, Elton x “
Ringo Starr
“God bless little Richard, one of my musical heroes of all time. Peace and love for all his family.”
Brian Wilson
“I’m sorry to hear Little Richard’s death. He was there at the beginning and showed us all about rock and roll. He was a great talent and we will miss him. Little Richard’s music will last forever.”
Brian love and mercy “
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