Danny Jones Penniman Is Little Richard's Only Kid – He Was Adopted at 14

Danny Jones Penniman, the only known one of Little Richard's children, recalled the rock 'n' roll legend entering his life in the second grade. He grew up in a rough neighborhood and saw Little Richard become a vital figure following his father's death.

From inspiring Prince's flamboyant onstage outfits to the vocals on some of The Beatles' songs and being Elvis Presely's idol, Little Richard was considered the Godfather of rock and roll for his undocumented sound and style.

As the musical genius neared the end of his career, Danny – who followed in his adoptive father's footsteps and became a rapper with a single known picture – recalled their time together as Little Richard found his way back to Christ before his passing.

Little Richard's Only Son Was Adopted When the Boy Was 14

Little Richard had just left the life of a rockstar for the second time when he found his way back to religion at the Seventh-day Adventist church. He went from sex, drugs, and rock and roll to preaching around the country, something Danny witnessed and called "amazing."

Little Richard was a traveling salesman for Nashville's Memorial Bibles International and relocated to Tennessee from Los Angeles to be closer to his sister. Through the church, Little Richard met Danny's mother, Creola Jones.

The rapper said she was nice to Little Richard, unfazed by his status and fame. Little Richard began to frequent the Jones household in South Central Los Angeles, and when he would visit, he would attract a crow of children who could not wait to catch a glimpse of the legend.

He became an important figure in Danny's life during his adolescent years, even more so following his father's death in 1982, after which Little Richard sang at the funeral. Danny said:

"He was very low-key and very humble, believe it or not. He would just always encourage me."

Danny had six sisters and three brothers growing up in poverty and in a single-parent home. To save her son's future, Danny's mother asked Little Richard to take him under his wing. Little Richard agreed.

And without putting pen to paper to make anything official, Danny was 14 when he left home with the rock star and joined him on tours on the road.

A grown man, Danny reflected on Little Richard's parenting style and revealed that he often had to look beneath the surface to understand Little Richard's teachings. And as life unfolded, he finally learned what his adoptive father meant. Danny shared:

"He would make statements like, 'You control the money, don't let the money control you.' As a kid, you don't really know what that means, but as life goes on, you figure it out."

Little Richard Once Suspected Danny Was Exaggerating His Sickness and Determined to Catch Him in a Lie

While reminiscing about his upbringing, Danny shared through laughter that he had undergone a hernia operation, and Little Richard had an inkling that the teenager was milking his injuries. To prove his theory true, Little Richard told Danny that a girl was waiting for him at the reception.

Little Richard had moved into the Hyatt on Los Angeles's Sunset Strip after leaving music behind. When he adopted Danny, the teenager joined him. He made his way to the reception, where he was told no girl was waiting for him.

When he returned to his room, he found Little Richard looking at him and shaking his head. "I was like, 'Wow, he got me once again,'" Danny said.

Little Richard Was a Changed Man in the Last Years of His Life

Over the years, Danny and Little Richard relocated to the Hilton in downtown Nashville. Danny explained that it had everything Little Richard needed, from room service to security.

It was not a secret that the pair occupied rooms in the well-known hotel after living in Jack Daniel's home in Lynchburg. Once they grew bored of the house, they moved to Nashville, and Danny suspected Little Richard liked seeing new faces every day.

However, towards the end of his career – and life – Little Richard lived just outside the spotlight. He went from creating chart-topping records to playing the piano for a few strangers in the Hilton lobby.

Slowly the concerts stopped, and after appearing in TV shows and movies such as "Baywatch," Little Richard chose to stop appearing in films, stage musicals, and interviews.

His devotion to religion became his main focus. He still donned his signature wigs, sequence jackets, and sparkling boots with a full face of makeup whenever he stepped out, but Danny said that was more for the character. In his private time, Little Richard read the Bible. Danny added:

"He said his music is different now; it's only going to sell so much. He said his legacy was already cemented. He didn't want to diminish what he already started."

Danny Jones Penniman Confirmed Little Richard's Death

Danny announced Little Richard's passing on May 9, 2020, and his lawyer reported that he had passed after a battle with bone cancer. In 1986, he was among ten original inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In 1993, Little Richard was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys, followed by artists like Tina Turner. He released his last known record in 2010 and gave his final concert on March 30, 2013, at Las Vegas New Orleans Hotel.

He performed his classics, such as "The Girl Can't Help It" and "Tutti Frutti," before coming off stage in immense pain. Little Richard had hip surgery in 2009 and still felt lingering pain due to complications.

Danny said Little Richard told him that night that he would no longer perform. To his adoptive father, Danny recalled saying, "Whatever you want to do, I'm with you."