logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Glimpse inside Music Icon Little Richard's Love Life

Pedro Marrero
May 17, 2020
10:30 A.M.

The undeniable rock n’ roll icon died at age 87, on May 9th, 2020. His music and performance style became a trademark that largely influenced many musicians in the history of rock. His complicated sexual orientation and his religious beliefs were also part of his life.

Advertisement

Little Richard, whose real name was Richard Wayne Penniman, was born in Macon, Georgia in 1932. He was the third child of a crowded family of 12 brothers and sisters, which led him to approach to music, because, as he once said, he wanted to stand out of his siblings.

Little Richard appears on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. Image dated October 1, 1971. I Image: Getty Images.

Little Richard appears on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. Image dated October 1, 1971. I Image: Getty Images.

At 13 years old, after his father kicked him out of the house as Richard would show “early signs of homosexuality”, he started honing his skills as a performer in a club in Macon. In 1951 he signed his first but limited record contract, but it was in 1955 when he could finally use his signature style by being hired to be the frontman for a New Orleans group.

That year, his hit “Tutti-Frutti” reached No.2 on the Billboard R&B chart. His single "Long Tall Sally" also made it at No. 1 in 1956. Other songs like “Good Golly Miss Molly” and “Send Me Some Lovin” were also hits. In a three-year span, Richard had racked up 18 hit songs.

Advertisement

SEX AND RELIGION

For many decades, Little Richard was known for his dazzling signature performing style and screaming, but he was also known for his complicated relationship with his sexual orientation and his faith. Although often acknowledged as a gay man, he also reiterated his belief that homosexuality is "unnatural" while reaffirming his strong Christian faith.

Few years before his recent death, the singer was trying to reconcile his religious beliefs with his sexual orientation. In 1959 he said he received a sign from God to turn away from rock and roll and went to Oakwood College to study theology to became an ordained minister. A year later, he released a gospel album entitled “God Is Real”.

Advertisement

His love life was mainly kept in secret, but he actually was married to a woman named Ernestine Campbell from 1959 to 1963 and never remarried after their separation. Before that, he also had a relationship with dancer Audrey Robinson, whose stage name was Lee Angel.

ROCK INFLUENCER

It is undeniable the influence that Little Richard’s music had on rock n’ roll from his time until today. You could say that his singles were unrelatable, but the amount of energy he put and the way he made every performance, built up his unique style and rock n’ roll trademark. It has been said that Little Richard’s music was omnisexual and alien.

Advertisement

Richard had no predecessors, he was a wild man, a drag queen, with a pencil mustache and makeup, and his music had an outrageous long-term cultural impact. Think of Prince and David Bowie and you could see his extravagance, while The Beatles and The Rolling Stones always confirmed his influence.

At the moment of his death, at age 87, many of the rock stars and celebrities that were influenced by Richard, took to their social media to express their feelings at his loss. Mick Jagger, Spike Lee, Quincy Jones, Jimmy Page, Brian Wilson, among many others, shared posts with touching words.

We are all going to miss Little Richard!

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Elderly Couple Divorces after 53 Years of Marriage, Later Man Sees Ex-wife Dating in Cafe — Story of the Day

February 04, 2024

These 5 Girls Are '90s Idols and One of Whom Is Married to a Famous Soccer Player – Quiz

December 20, 2023

Tina Turner's Death: Her 2nd Spouse Donated an Organ to Save Her Because He 'Didn't Want Another Woman'

February 13, 2024

'There Was an Attempt to Steal Elvis’s Body’: Elvis Presley’s Girlfriend on His Death in Toilet at 42

December 21, 2023

Billy Joel 'Became a Homey' with His Love & Their Young Daughters after 3 Unsuccessful Marriages

December 26, 2023

Ricky Nelson’s 4 Kids Became Entertainers Too — More About Them

January 18, 2024

'Curb Your Enthusiasm' Actor Richard Lewis Dies at Home – Cause of Death Revealed

February 28, 2024

Elvis Presley Vowed to Buy Mom a Home When They Shared 1 Bed in Shack — She Wished To Be Poor Again after Moving

January 15, 2024

Prince's Estate Battle Lasted 6 Years: Who Got His Millions Following the Court's Decision

November 10, 2023

Veteran Actor Joss Ackland Dead: He Passed ‘Peacefully’ & Remained ‘Mischievous to the Very End’

November 20, 2023

One of Elvis Presley’s Twin Granddaughters, Named after Him, Shows Herself at 15 with Blonde Hair & Makeup

December 18, 2023

Elvis Presley Was Found Dead in Bathroom of House with 'Secret' Passageway — Photos of Graceland Mansion Now

December 12, 2023

Sinéad O'Connor's Ex Broke Silence on Her Cause of Death — She Lived like 'Night Creature' during Last Days

January 11, 2024

Paul McCartney’s Brother ‘Was Nearly in the Beatles’ Then Hid Being Related to the Legendary Singer

November 10, 2023