From Gospel to Rock

Little Richard was born in Georgia on December 5, 1932. As a kid he sang with his family, a travelling gospel troupe. At 18 he was washing dishes to support his family and playing with his band, The Upsetters, during the night. After a few years of playing $15 dollar shows, Little Richard began to change his image. Heavily influenced by the R & B shouter, Billy Wright, he became the wild-eyed piano pounder that we know.

He was signed to Specialty Records in 1955. His famous song "Tutti Frutti" sold 200,000 copied in 2 1/2 weeks. Over the next four years Richard and The Upsetters released many more hit songs like "Rip It Up," "Long Tall Sally," and "Keep a Knockin." His shows were pretty wild. The band members wore makeup and earrings because Richard wanted them to be "different and exciting."

Little Richard is known for his song "Tutti Frutti." This was a sexually charged song that created chaos and excitement. It was the first of its kind and would set standards for other musicians like Paul McCartney of the Beatles.

Little Richard article in the Rock Hall of Fame

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