‘He Showed Us All How To Rock'n'Roll’: Tributes Flow For Little Richard
"We are so lucky to have had him."
Fans, musicians and beyond are mourning the loss of Little Richard, a pioneer of rock'n'roll who influenced countless across his prolific career, including The Beatles, Elton John and more.
After helping redefine music as we know it through iconic hits such as Good Golly Miss Molly, Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally and more, the music legend passed away in Tennessee across the weekend at age 87 following a battle with bone cancer.
Here's just a snapshot at how some of his friends, collaborators and fans are paying tribute.
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My first introduction to Rock & Roll. Little Richard! 💕 pic.twitter.com/e57CdyOyk3
— Mary Wilson (@MWilsonSupreme) May 10, 2020
So very sad to hear of the passing of such a pioneer of music and all around amazing human being. Honored to have had the chance to have him on the show years ago and those memories are ones I’ll never forget. My deepest condolences go out to his family #littlerichard #rip pic.twitter.com/nuKQJThZ9y
— Martin Lawrence (@realmartymar) May 9, 2020
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) May 9, 2020
RIP Little Richard 💔💔 #littlerichard #goodgollymissmolly #larkinpoe pic.twitter.com/y0L4r5LpQi
— Larkin Poe (@LarkinPoe) May 10, 2020
RIP “Little Richard”. You shook up the world! #BePeace https://t.co/LxJp4xCgoi
— Carl Weathers (@TheCarlWeathers) May 9, 2020
From 'Tutti Frutti' to 'Long Tall Sally' to 'Good Golly, Miss Molly' to 'Lucille', Little Richard came screaming into my life when I was a teenager. I owe a lot of what I do to Little Richard and his style; and he knew it. He would say, 'I taught Paul everything he knows'. pic.twitter.com/96bOzphhs8
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) May 10, 2020
I will NEVER forget this, a true original. ♥️ #LittleRichard #WhyDoFoolsFallInLove pic.twitter.com/Pek3XoHmfi
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) May 10, 2020
I just heard the news about Little Richard and I’m so grieved. He was my shining star and guiding light back when I was only a little boy. His was the original spirit that moved me to do everything I would do.
— Bob Dylan (@bobdylan) May 9, 2020
The great Little Richard rocked every molecule in n front of his stage ....in HipHop our version of the one man wrecking cyclone is @llcoolj so called music authorities still can’t see the analysis because they couldn’t even acknowledge Little Richard properly
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) May 10, 2020
“Tutti Frutti” is a 65 YEAR-OLD recording and it still sounds like Little Richard is IN THE ROOM WITH YOU shaking the walls and peeling the paint. Rock ‘n’ roll came screaming into the world and Little Richard rode it like an A-bomb. #RIPLegend
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) May 9, 2020
I totally forgot I'd made a tiny tribute to Little Richard in 'Baby Driver'. At one point Baby & Deborah both wear Joe's old Vietnam jacket. Costume asked me what surname Joe should have, so I decided it should be Penniman in tribute to the Georgia born legend; Richard Penniman. pic.twitter.com/Dvte1YYgPJ
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) May 10, 2020
👑 R.I.P. KING #LittleRichard 👑 https://t.co/5qxDjCcLxz
— MC HAMMER (@MCHammer) May 10, 2020
I shall miss him, God bless Little Richard ~ rest in peace 🙏 pic.twitter.com/mGdhqqRG1t
— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) May 9, 2020
I want to express my condolences on the passing of one of music’s greats #LittleRichard
— Billy Dee Williams (@realbdw) May 9, 2020
Little Richard was one of the original rock 'n' rollers-- He was THE ORIGINAL GLAM ROCKER, and he took a lot of abuse for being in the first wave. He forged a path for all of us who followed. pic.twitter.com/LKTxaPa2S2
— Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (@joanjett) May 9, 2020
LITTLE RICHARD Is A Cornerstone In The Very Foundation Of Rock & Roll. An Icon. A Songwriter And Performer With A Personality To Match. RIP Superstar. pic.twitter.com/Sdl6Yh59ex
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) May 9, 2020
I was once asked, “If u could meet one person, who would it be?” I always said Little Richard. Because, to me, he was rock & roll’s most joyous, rebellious innovator.
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) May 9, 2020
Thank u for planting that seed, Richard. The world is a much happier place thanks to ur music.#RIPLittleRichard pic.twitter.com/kiq2VOZs8O
With his exuberance, his creativity, and his refusal to be anything other than himself, Little Richard laid the foundation for generations of artists to follow. We are so lucky to have had him. Sending all my love to his family and friends today.
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) May 9, 2020
Rip Little Richard
— vince (@vincestaples) May 9, 2020
MESSAGE FROM IGGY: „Dear Little Richard, thank you, RIP”
— Iggy Pop (@IggyPop) May 9, 2020
RIP #LittleRichard the architect of rock n roll... pic.twitter.com/685HKldASk
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) May 9, 2020
#LittleRichard
— Carole King (@Carole_King) May 9, 2020
Rest in peace and power. pic.twitter.com/6rVEwF5AEd
The loss of a true giant. My sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends. https://t.co/nzTDmQtLm7
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) May 9, 2020
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