Pour One Out for Little Richard

Here we are back again too soon with another farewell post. It was announced this morning that Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Little Richard passed away today due to bone cancer at the age of 87.

Richard (should have been Ricardo if not for a clerical error) Wayne Penniman was born December 5th, 1932 in Macon, Georgia, as the third of Bud & Leva Mae Penniman's twelve children. Brought up in and around the gospel music scene of their Georgia neighborhood, Penniman was influenced by gospel music for his entire career, which began at age 14 by opening for his favorite artist, Sister Rosetta Thorpe. From that moment spun a career that lasted close to seven decades, resulting in chart-topping hits, breaking down segregation barriers at his shows by being one of the original black crossover artists, and countless awards and honors. He was married once and has one son, Danny Jones, who later in his life would become one of his father's bodyguards. He was an insane vocalist, a wildly talented pianist, and a wonderful songwriter. He even did some light vocal coaching for The Beatles when they performed together in the 1960's. Whether you were a fan of this wild and colorful man or not, his influence cannot be denied.

The following are some of Little Richard's biggest hits to honor his memory.

Tutti Frutti (written by D. La Bostrie, R. Penniman, R. Blackwell)

Without a doubt his biggest hit, and a song that automatically comes to mind when you think of the music of the 1950's.

I got a girl named Sue/She knows just what to do/I got a girl named Sue/She knows just what to do/She rock to the east, she rock to the west/But she's the girl that I love best/Tutti Frutti, oh Rudy/Tutti Frutti, oh Rudy/Ooh, Tutti Frutti, oh, Rudy/Tutti Frutti, oh, Rudy/Tutti Frutti, oh, Rudy/Awop-bop-a-loo-mop, alop-bomb-bomb

Long Tall Sally (The Thing) (written by E. Johnson, R. Penniman, R. Blackwell)

Another classically 50's song that makes you want to get up and dance.

Gonna tell Aunt Mary about Uncle John/He claim he has the music, but he having a lot of fun/Oh, baby, yes, baby/Woo, baby, having me some fun tonight, yeah/Well, long tall Sally, she's built for speed/She got everything that Uncle John need/Oh, baby, yes, baby/Woo, baby, having me some fun tonight, yeah

Good Golly Miss Molly (written by J. Marascalco, R. Blackwell)

Just like Tutti Frutti, you've definitely heard this song at least once in your life.

From the early, early morning to the early, early night/When you call, Miss Molly working at the house of blue light/Good golly, Miss Molly/Sure like a ball/When you're rocking and a rolling/Can't year your momma call

Lucille (written by A. Collins, R. Penniman)

Another total bop from 1958. Damn did this man have a vocal range.

Lucille, you won't do your sister's will/Lucille, you won't do your sister's will/You ran off and married, but I love you still/Lucille, please come back where you belong/Lucille, please come back where you belong/I been good to you, baby, please don't leave me alone

Rip It Up (written by J. Marascalco, R. Blackwell)

There's something about songs from this time that kicks up that nostalgia - they were so simple and so intricate at the same time.

Well, it's Saturday night and I just got paid/Fool about my money, don't try to save/My heart says go, go, have a time/'Cause it's Saturday night and I'm feeling fine/I'm gonna rock it up/I'm gonna rip it up/I'm gonna shake it up/Gonna ball it up/I'm gonna rock it up and ball tonight

Keep a Knockin' (written by B. Mays, J. Williams, R. Penniman)

There's never any doubt when a Little Richard song comes on that it's him - he just had one of those voices and the energy level he brought to every performance permeated the whole track.

Keep a-knocking, but you can't come in/Keep a-knocking, but you can't come in/Keep a-knocking, but you can't come in/Come back tomorrow night and try it again/You said you love and you can't come in/You said you love me and you can't come in/You said you love me and you can't come in/Come back tomorrow night and try it again, woo

Rest In Peace to the man who was called The Innovator, The Originator, and The Architect of Rock & Roll. I have a feeling when we can safely be in public again, plenty of jukeboxes will be playing your songs.