the
originator, the emancipator, the architect of rock and roll. Exploding
into the
American
consciousness in the mid-50's’..."awop-bop-a-loo-mop-alop-bam-boom"…he
singlehandedly
laid the foundation and established the rules for a new musical form: rock
and roll.
Born
and raised in Macon, Georgia, the third of twelve children, Richard Wayne
Penniman began
singing
in his local church choir while still a youngster. He signed with RCA Records
in 1951 after
winning
a talent contest and released two singles—neither receiving prominent notice.
Returning
to his job washing dishes in a Greyhound bus station, Richard sent a demo
tape to Specialty
Records,
a fledgling Los Angeles label. The song, "Tutti Frutti," was his catalyst
for success and led to
an
uninterrupted run of smash hits—"Tutti Frutti," "Long Tall Sally," "Rip
It Up," "Lucille," "Jenny
Jenny,"
"Keep A Knockin’", "Good Golly Miss Molly," "Ooh! My Soul"…By 1968, Little
Richard had
sold
over 32 million records internationally.
A
self-imposed hiatus took Richard out of the industry spotlight, but never
out of the consciousness of
the
legions of fans around the world who confidently awaited his return.
In
1985, Richard charged back stronger than ever, scoring rave reviews for
his memorable appearance
in
1985 boxoffice smash "Down and Out in Beverly Hills," a film which also
launched his hit single,
"Great
Gosh A Mighty." He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in
1986 and launched into
a
pattern of work which has been virtually non-stop, encompassing not only
recording, but television,
films,
soundtracks and commercials: "Martin," "Full House," "Miami Vice," the
60th Annual Academy
Awards,
among other television guest spots; a duet with Philip Bailey for the Universal
Pictures’ hit,
"Twins";
background vocals on the U2/BB King hit single, "When Love Comes to Town";
the CBS
Records
all-star benefit album and Showtime/PBS documentary special, "A Vision
Shared—A Tribute
to
Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly"; television pitchman for Taco Bell, McDonald’s,
NBC-TV,
Commodore/Amiga
Computers and Revlon’s "Charlie" perfume, in which he starred with supermodel
Cindy
Crawford.
His
performance of a rock ’n’ roll version of the children’s tune, "Itsy Bitsy
Spider," was a stand-out
track
on the star-studded Disney Records’ benefit album, "For Our Children."
The record went gold
and
earned millions for the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, an organization he continues
to support. Disney
followed
up with "Shake It All About," an entire album of children’s songs redone
by Richard in a style
that
is his alone. His portrayal of a rock ’n’ roll Old King Cole in Shelley
Duvall’s "Mother Goose
Rock
’n’ Rhyme," an appearance on "Sesame Street" and a spot on the Jim Henson
Records album,
"Kermit
Unpigged" (on which he guests on the all-star song and video for a remake
of "She Drives Me
Crazy"),
have ensured him a new generation of fans.
Richard
was honored with a star on the world-renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame in
1990. Soon
afterward,
he returned to his hometown of Macon for the unveiling of "Little Richard
Penniman
Boulevard."
In 1993, he received the long-overdue Lifetime Achievement Award from the
National
Academy
of Recording Arts and Sciences. He also performed for rock & roll fans
Bill Clinton and Al
Gore
at one of the biggest parties in Washington—the inaugural gala.
In
1994, Richard received the Rhythm & Blues Foundation’s prestigious
Pioneer Award. He also
appeared
on Elton John’s hit "Duets" album and delivered a high-octane rendition
of "Something Else"
with
Tanya Tucker on the platinum MCA Records’ release, "Rhythm, Country &
Blues."
Most
recently, Richard was presented with the prestigious Award of Merit byt
the 1997 American
Music
Awards in recognition of his contributions to and powerful influence on
the music world.
Driven
by an incredible, hard-to-match energy which lends credence to his "wild
man of rock ’n’ roll"
image,
Richard continues to tour extensively, delighting audiences with his unique
blend of music and
humor.
"Entertaining
is a way to spread joy," says Richard. "I’ve come to terms with that and
with myself.
You’ve
got to do that before you can begin to help others."