Little Richard (born Richard Wayne Penniman, December 5, 1932 – May 9, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He was an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than six decades. Nicknamed “The Innovator,” “The Originator,” and “The Architect of Rock and Roll,” Richard’s most celebrated work dates from the mid-1950s, when his dynamic music and charismatic showmanship laid the foundation for the emergence of rock and roll. His music also played an important role in the formation of other popular music genres, including soul and funk.
| Name | Little Richard |
| Birth Date | December 5, 1932 |
| Genres | Rock and Roll, Rhythm and Blues, Gospel, Soul |
| Instruments | Vocals, Piano, Saxophone |
| Labels | Specialty Records, Vee-Jay Records, Okeh Records, Mercury Records |
| Associated Acts | The Upsetters, The Beatles, Little Richard and His Band, The Quarrymen |
10 Best Little Richard Quotes
“Tutti Frutti was my biggest hit. It was a true story about a girl I used to know.”
– Little Richard, from Rolling Stone
“God has been very gracious and merciful to me.”
– Little Richard, from Interview Magazine
“I’m so thankful and grateful to the almighty God that I’m still alive and still able to do my music.”
– Little Richard, from NPR
“I never wanted to be a singer. I never wanted to be a performer. I was born to be a preacher.”
– Little Richard, from The Telegraph
“I do not like being called the Godfather of Rock and Roll. There was a lot more to the music than just me.”
– Little Richard, from The Guardian
“Be yourself and don’t worry about what other people think. Do your own thing and have fun.”
– Little Richard, from Huffington Post
“If I had never heard of rock and roll, I would have been a preacher. I was born to be a preacher.”
– Little Richard, from The Hollywood Reporter
“I don’t think I’m better than anybody else, and I don’t think I’m worse.”
– Little Richard, from The Washington Post
“It was Elvis who opened doors. Before Elvis, there was nothing.”
– Little Richard, from CBS News
“If you don’t respect yourself, nobody’s gonna give you no respect.”
– Little Richard, from Vogue
8 Inspirational Little Richard Quotes
“I started out playing gospel music, but I got the devil in me.”
– Little Richard, from The New York Times
“I was born to rock and roll.”
– Little Richard, from Rolling Stone
“I’m Little Richard and I’m the architect of rock ‘n’ roll.”
– Little Richard, from The Independent
“I’m the one that started it all. I’m the one that started the whole new era of music.”
– Little Richard, from The Guardian
“I’m the king of rock ‘n’ roll, I’m the king of the blues. I’m the king of the music world. I’m the king of the music business.”
– Little Richard, from Grammy.com
“I’m the one that started rock and roll. Not Elvis, not Chuck Berry.”
– Little Richard, from VICE
“I’m the one that put the wiggle in the walk, the jiggle in the talk, the flip in the hip.”
– Little Richard, from The Guardian
“Rock and roll is a feeling. It’s a spirit. It’s a way of living.”
– Little Richard, from Rolling Stone
5 Famous Little Richard Quotes
“I am the originator of rock and roll. I am the architect of it.”
– Little Richard, from Rolling Stone
“I’m still performing. I’m still singing. I’m still writing. I’m still recording. I’m still doing everything.”
– Little Richard, from Grammy.com
“My mother told me, ‘If you’re gonna be a singer, you got to be a showman.’ And I became a showman.”
– Little Richard, from The New York Times
“Rock ‘n’ roll has been my life and my livelihood, but I’m an evangelist at heart and I want to tell people about the Lord.”
– Little Richard, from Christianity Today
“I’m the architect of rock and roll. I’m the originator. I’m the innovator.”
– Little Richard, from NPR
5 Little Richard Quotes About Love
“Love is the greatest gift that God has given us, and we must share it”
– Little Richard, from Billboard
“Love is the key. Love is the answer. And don’t forget about love”
– Little Richard, from Rolling Stone
“God is love and love is God. Love is the greatest gift you can give to someone, and that’s what I’ve been trying to do.”
– Little Richard, from CBS News
“Love is the only thing that can really change the world”
– Little Richard, from The Guardian
“Love is all you need”
– Little Richard, from GQ
5 Little Richard Quotes About Life
“Life is like a roller coaster. You have your ups and downs, but you just have to stay on and hold on tight and enjoy the ride.”
– Little Richard, from Elite Daily
“I’m grateful for life. I’m grateful for the good, the bad and the ugly. I’m grateful for the ups and downs because without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
– Little Richard, from The Guardian
“Life is short and tomorrow isn’t promised.”
– Little Richard, from Cincinnati
“I don’t want to be like everybody else. I want to be me. I want to be Little Richard.”
– Little Richard, from The Guardian
“When life is like a roller coaster, you just have to stay on, hold on tight, and enjoy the ride.”
– Little Richard, from Houston Chronicle
7 Quotes About Little Richard
“Little Richard was always an influence. He had a major influence on me.”
– John Lennon, from Rolling Stone
“He was a great man, he was one of the greatest entertainers of all time.”
– Elton John, from NPR
“No one epitomized the spirit and sound of rock ‘n’ roll music more than Little Richard, and arguably, no one has had a greater influence either.”
– Paul McCartney, from Rolling Stone
“Little Richard was the originator, one of the true greats of rock ‘n’ roll and I was honored to have met him.”
– Bruce Springsteen, from Rolling Stone
“He was a blessed spirit and the epitome of rock ‘n’ roll.”
– Ringo Starr, from Rolling Stone
“Little Richard is the king of rock-and-roll. He was just the best.”
– Jimi Hendrix, from Rolling Stone
Interview with Little Richard
Frequently Asked Questions About Little Richard
1. What is the most popular Little Richard quote?
Little Richard is one of the most influential musicians of all time, and has become known for his inspirational and witty quotes. His words have become a source of motivation and positivity for many people. Here are some of the most popular Little Richard quotes:
- “A lot of people are afraid of the future, but I’m going to face my future with a smile.”
- “I have to keep on pushing. I’ve got to keep believing. I have to keep on pushing because if I don’t, I’m going to miss my opportunity.”
- “The most important thing in life is to be yourself and not care what others think.”
- “If you want to be great, you have to be willing to be mocked, hated and misunderstood.”
- “If you want to be somebody, if you want to go somewhere, you’ve got to wake up and pay attention.”
- “Don’t let nobody steal your dream; it’s your dream, not theirs.”
- “Ain’t nothing gonna change until you change it yourself.”
The most popular Little Richard quote is, “Ain’t nothing gonna change until you change it yourself.” This quote is inspiring and empowering, as it encourages people to take control of their lives and make positive changes. It also emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one’s actions and recognizing that you have the power to create the life you want.
2. What are some of Little Richard’s most memorable song lyrics?
Little Richard is one of the most iconic figures in rock and roll history. His music has inspired generations of artists and his lyrics are some of the most memorable in the genre. Here are some of Little Richard’s most memorable song lyrics:
- “Tutti Frutti, good booty. If it don’t fit, don’t force it. You can grease it, make it easy.” (Tutti Frutti, 1955)
- “I’m just a soul whose intentions are good. Oh Lord, please don’t let me be misunderstood.” (I’m Just a Soul Whose Intentions are Good, 1955)
- “Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like to ball. Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like to ball.” (Good Golly Miss Molly, 1958)
- “You keep on talkin’ ’bout the president, but you ain’t sayin’ nothin’ ’bout the government.” (Keep a Knockin’, 1958)
- “You can’t go far wrong if you live from day to day.” (Long Tall Sally, 1956)
- “Oooh, my Soul. Oh, my soul. I’m so glad that I’m livin’. I’m so glad that I’m livin’, yes I am.” (Oh My Soul, 1963)
These are just some of the many classic and memorable lyrics of Little Richard. His words have endured for decades and it’s easy to see why. With his unique style and infectious energy, Little Richard’s music will continue to inspire generations to come.
3. What is the Context of Little Richard’s Most Famous Quote About Music?
Little Richard is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of rock and roll. He was a pioneer in the genre, paving the way for the likes of Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and countless other artists who would follow in his footsteps.
One of Little Richard’s most famous quotes about music is, “The groove is the key. You gotta have that groove.” This quote has become a mantra for musicians and music fans alike, and is often used to describe the power and importance of groove in creating great music.
So, what is the context of this famous quote? In order to understand it fully, we need to look at the source of the quote – Little Richard himself.
Little Richard was an aficionado of jazz, and was heavily influenced by jazz greats like Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, and Nat King Cole. He was also a fan of gospel music, which he used as a way to express his faith.
In his quote, Little Richard is referring to the importance of grooves in jazz, gospel, and other genres of music. He’s saying that the groove is what gives music its power and energy, and that it’s essential for creating a great performance.
In other words, Little Richard is expressing the importance of rhythm and groove in music. He’s highlighting the need for musicians to be able to create and maintain a strong groove in order to produce great music.
- Little Richard is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of rock and roll
- One of Little Richard’s most famous quotes about music is, “The groove is the key. You gotta have that groove.”
- Little Richard was an aficionado of jazz, and was heavily influenced by jazz greats like Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, and Nat King Cole.
- In his quote, Little Richard is referring to the importance of grooves in jazz, gospel, and other genres of music.
- He’s saying that the groove is what gives music its power and energy, and that it’s essential for creating a great performance.
- In other words, Little Richard is expressing the importance of rhythm and groove in music.
- He’s highlighting the need for musicians to be able to create and maintain a strong groove in order to produce great music.
4. What other famous musicians have quoted Little Richard?
Little Richard is an iconic figure in the music industry, and his influence has been felt by generations of musicians. From the Rolling Stones to the Beatles, musicians have paid homage to the King of Rock and Roll. Here are some of the famous musicians who have quoted Little Richard in their work:
- The Beatles: John Lennon famously said, “Before Elvis, there was nothing,” a quote attributed to Little Richard.
- The Rolling Stones: Mick Jagger wrote the song “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” in tribute to Little Richard.
- Jimi Hendrix: Hendrix performed Little Richard’s hit “Lucille” in his concerts.
- David Bowie: Bowie paid homage to Little Richard in his song “Fame,” which sampled the classic “Tutti Frutti.”
- Prince: Prince recorded a cover version of Little Richard’s “The Girl Can’t Help It” in 1982.
- Elton John: John’s hit “Bennie and the Jets” was inspired by Little Richard’s “Good Golly Miss Molly.”
- Bob Dylan: Dylan has cited Little Richard as a major influence on his songwriting.
Little Richard’s influence has been felt in many different genres, from rock and roll to funk and soul. His music and style have been an inspiration to countless musicians, and his quotes and lyrics have been quoted by many of the greatest musicians of all time.
5. What impact has Little Richard had on modern music?
Little Richard has had a profound and lasting impact on modern music. His pioneering blend of rhythm and blues and gospel set the stage for rock and roll, and his influence can still be heard today in many genres of music.
- He was one of the first artists to blend gospel, blues, and R&B into a unique style of rock and roll.
- He created a unique and instantly recognizable sound, characterized by his powerful and energetic vocals, wild piano playing, and catchy riffs.
- He popularized the use of call-and-response, which is still used in many genres today.
- He was one of the first African-American musicians to make an impact on mainstream audiences.
- He was a trendsetter for many later musicians, including Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, and Prince.
Little Richard’s influence can still be heard in many styles of music today, from rock and roll to hip-hop and beyond. His influence on modern music is undeniable, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of musicians for years to come.
Conclusion
Little Richard has been a major influence in the world of popular music. His unique sound, style, and attitude have left a lasting mark on the music industry. His music continues to inspire generations of musicians and his flamboyant persona has remained an iconic symbol of rock and roll. Little Richard’s influence will continue to be felt for many years to come.
