Little Richard

Little Richard

American musician (1932–2020)

Richard Wayne Penniman, better known by his stage name Little Richard, was an American singer, pianist and songwriter. He was an influential figure in popular music and culture for seven decades. Referred to as the "Architect of Rock and Roll", Richard's most celebrated work dates from the mid-1950s, when his charismatic showmanship and dynamic music, characterized by frenetic piano playing, pounding backbeat and powerful raspy vocals, laid the foundation for rock and roll. Richard's innovative emotive vocalizations and uptempo rhythmic music played a key role in the formation of other popular music genres, including soul and funk. He influenced singers and musicians across musical genres and his music helped shape rhythm and blues for generations.

Filmography in the catalog

Credited on 2 films (1956–1986) — matched by name in the Creator or Credits field. Also mentioned in 7 other records (descriptions, transcriptions, copyright notes).

Year ▼ Title CreatorLengthFormatColorSound
1986 Down and out in Beverly Hills Paul Mazursky 99 min Color
1956 The Girl Can’t Help It. Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp 99 min. 35mm Color sound