It’s hard to believe that the world lost a true legend when Little Richard passed away. On Saturday, May 9, the pioneering musician, known as one of the founding fathers of rock 'n' roll, left us at the age of 87. His son, Danny Penniman, broke the heartbreaking news to Rolling Stone. Richard left this world in Nashville, but the exact cause of his death remains a mystery.

A Humble Beginning

Little Richard, whose real name was Richard Wayne Penniman, was born on December 5, 1932, in Macon, Georgia. He was one of 12 children, and his uncles were preachers. In a candid interview with Rolling Stone back in 1970, Richard opened up about his early life. "I was born in the slums," he revealed. "My daddy sold whiskey, bootleg whiskey," he added, painting a vivid picture of his tough beginnings.

Read also:
Ben Napier Opens Up About His Weight Loss Journey And Health Update

little richard 1969 — Valley Music Ltd/Shutterstock

Music Was His First Love

Richard's musical journey began at a local church, where his powerful voice first found its place. However, his father, Bud, wasn't exactly thrilled about his son's musical aspirations. Bud even accused Richard of being gay, which caused him to run away from home at just 13 years old. He eventually found a home with a white family in Macon. During this time, he formed a friendship with another future music icon, Otis Redding. At the Macon Auditorium, where he worked at a concession stand, Richard soaked up the sounds of R&B, blues, and country music, all of which would later influence his unique style.

Breaking Through

Richard's big moment arrived when he performed at the Tick Tock Club in Macon and won a local talent show. In 1951, he inked his first record deal with RCA. Around the age of 15, he adopted the stage name "Little Richard" and began learning the piano under the guidance of Esquerita, a local performer who helped shape his iconic sound.

Hits That Defined an Era

In 1956, Richard released his breakout hit, "Tutti Frutti," followed by "Long Tall Sally" and "Rip It Up." Another classic, "Lucille," hit the airwaves in 1957, and in 1958, he delivered one of his most famous tracks, "Good Golly Miss Molly." Speaking to Rolling Stone in 1990, Richard reflected on his early days in music. "When I first came along, I never heard any rock & roll," he admitted. "When I started singing rock 'n' roll, I sang it a long time before I presented it to the public because I was afraid they wouldn’t like it. I never heard nobody do it, and I was scared," he confessed.