Happy Birthday Little Richard!

Little Richard France

On December 5, 1932, Richard Wayne Penniman was born in Macon, Georgia with a father who was a church deacon who owned a nightclub. When Richard was a child, family members nicknamed the small skinny kid, “Lil’ Richard.” He would grow up to shake up the rock and roll world as Little Richard.

Little Richard first break came after Sister Rosetta Tharpe heard the 14-year-old singing and invited him onstage with her at a concert. His first big hit, “Tutti Frutti,” came in 1955, and it would be followed by other classics like “Long Tall Sally,” “Lucille,” and “Good Golly Miss Molly.”

In 1966, Little Richard performed a show in France. Fortunately, much of the show was recorded, so you may watch part of the performance below to celebrate his birthday.

Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • It’s Little Richard’s 1964 TV Special
  • Although the Oscars Passed Over “Little Richard: I Am Everything,” You Shouldn’t
  • Esquerita, the Man Buried in an Unmarked Grave Who Inspired Little Richard and Rock and Roll
  • Jerry Lee Lewis and Tom Jones Rock Out
  • Elvis Goes Into the Army: March 25, 1958
  • A Rushed “(We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock” Goes to Hollywood and the Hall
  • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)