Rock ‘N’ Roll Trailblazer Little Richard Dead At 87

Rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Little Richard will be buried at Oakwood University, a historically black university in Huntsville, Alabama.Gerald Kibble, director of Oakwood Memorial Gardens, said the private funeral will be held Wednesday (May 20) and will not be open to the public.Little Richard’s close friend Pastor Bill Minson said the singer was an alumnus of the university.

The early history of rock 'n' roll is a story of segregation -- and Little Richard, who died of bone cancer at 87 on May 9, was a key player in the fight to destroy it.Because of Jim Crow laws, and racism in general, African-American musicians from Louis Armstrong to Charlie Parker to Motown revues traveling through the South spent much of the 20th century relegated to black hotels and black restaurants, denied entrance even to hotels where they were headlining.

Little Richard, the self-proclaimed “architect of rock ‘n’ roll” who built his ground-breaking sound with a boiling blend of boogie-woogie, rhythm and blues and gospel, died on Saturday at the age of 87.

Little Richard, the pioneering artist who set the template for rock and roll, has died aged 87, Rolling Stone reports. 

Little Richard, one of the founding fathers of rock ‘n’ roll and whose flamboyance and fire were just as much his calling cards as his pompadour, eyeliner and piano pounding, died Saturday at his brother’s home in Nashville. He was 87. The cause of death was bone cancer.

By Anita Bennett

Michelle Obama, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and more celebrities honored Little Richard’s legacy following the singer’s death at the age of 87 on Saturday, May 9.

Music has lost one of its brightest stars. On Saturday morning, news broke that Little Richard had passed away.

Little Richard is mourned by family, friends and fans all over the world.

Little Richard, widely considered a founding father of rock ‘n’ roll and known for his electric stage presence and musical skill, has sadly passed away at the age of 87.

Musicians and celebrities are paying tribute to rock 'n' roll pioneer Little Richard, who has died at the age of 87.Artists like Brian Wilson, Bette Midler, Nile Rodgers, Steven Van Zandt, Gene Simmons and many more are mourning the loss of the high-pompadoured singer, songwriter and pianist, whose explosive performances set early rock n' roll afire."He was there at the beginning and showed us all how to rock and roll," The Beach Boys' Wilson tweeted Saturday (May 9).

Music legend Little Richard has died aged 87.

Little Richard, the godfather of rock 'n roll who entertained audiences for more than seven decades with hits that include “Tutti Fruti,” “Good Golly Miss Molly,” “Lucille” and “Long Tally Sally,” has died. He was 87.

"The Innovator, The Originator, and The Architect of Rock and Roll"

Music icon Little Richard has passed away aged 87.