Little Richard Dead at 87 Of Cancer

Little Richard, known as one of the founders of Rock & Roll, has died at the age of 87. The cause of death was cancer.

Richard was s staple of rock in the 1950's with such hits as “Tutti Frutti,” “Long Tall Sally,” “Lucille” and “Good Golly Miss Molly.”

Elton John told Rolling Stone in 1973, “I heard Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis, and that was it. I didn’t ever want to be anything else. I’m more of a Little Richard stylist than a Jerry Lee Lewis, I think. Jerry Lee is a very intricate piano player and very skillful, but Little Richard is more of a pounder.” The Beatles have also credited Richard as being inspirational to the Fab Four.

Richard's bass guitarist, Charles Glenn, told TMZ that Richard had been sick for 2 months. He died at his Tennessee home, surrounded by his brother, sister and son. Glenn says he spoke with Richard March 27 and the singer asked him to come over and visit, but he couldn't because of the pandemic. Glenn says Richard was like a father to him. Richard would sometimes tell him, "Not to take anything away from your dad, but you're my son."