Little Richard dead at 87: Mick Jagger, Ringo Starr, Michelle Obama react

Rock ‘n’ Roll has lost a music symbol when Little Richard (Richard Penniman) died on Saturday at the age of 87, his agent Dick Alen confirmed. While the cause and location of death are unknown, the singer had one Heart attack in 2013 this led to his resignation from the performance.

The Georgia-born musician began as a gospel singer, whose extravagant fashion and performance style caught his eye with fans and music critics alike. His trademark piano playing – often with his right leg over the keyboard – became legendary.

His songs “Long Tall Sally” and “Tutti Frutti” were instant dance hits in the 1950s. In 1956 and 1957 he had 11 tracks in the music charts. In the 1950s, Richard’s songs were covered by musical idols Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Buddy Holly.

Richard also appeared in the films Don’t Knock the Rock, Mister Rock and Roll and The Girl Can’t Help It. Later in his career, Richard was ordained Minister of the Seventh-day Adventist and recorded gospel songs for Mercury records in the early 1960s. Indeed, Richard officiated Marriage of actors Bruce Willis and Demi Moore in 1987.

Richard has influenced many other famous singers and musicians who loved his rock’n’roll style, including the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Prince, Elton John, Bob Dylan and others.

“I am so sad to hear about Little Richard’s death.” Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger tweeted on Saturday. “He was the greatest inspiration of my early teens, and his music still has the same raw electrical energy when you play it now as you did when it first shot through the music scene in the mid-1950s.”

“When we were on tour with him, I watched his movements every night and learned from him how to entertain and engage, and he was always so generous with advice to me,” continued Jagger. “He has contributed so much to pop music. I will miss you, Richard, God bless you.”

“Without a doubt – musically, vocally and visually – he was my biggest influence,” said the singer Elton John tweeted. “Seeing him live as a teenager was the most exciting event in my life at the time. Goosebumps, electricity and joy came from every pore.”

“I just heard the news about Little Richard and I’m so sad,” said the singer Bob Dylan tweeted. “He was my shining star and directed the light back when I was a little boy. His mind was the original mind that made me do everything I would do.”

“He will always live on in my heart with his amazing talent and friendship! He was unique and I will miss him very much.” Jerry Lee Lewis said in a statement on Facebook.

As expected, Twitter was swamped with eulogies for the famous singer and performer.

“God bless little Richard, one of my musical heroes of all time,” said the Beatles drummer Ringo Starr tweeted on Saturday. “Peace and love for his whole family.”

Former first lady Michelle Obama also honored Little Richard. “With his exuberance, creativity and refusal to be anything other than himself, Little Richard laid the foundation for generations of artists.” she tweeted. “We are so happy to have had him.”

“I served Little Richard Soul Food Brunch every Sunday for a year while working as a waitress in Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch in LA.” Director Ava DuVernay tweeted. “I was a student. He gave me a crisp $ 100 bill every week for a $ 75 breakfast with friends. That was 30 years ago. It helped me so much. God rest his soul.”

“I’m very sorry to hear from Little Richard,” said the Beach Boys Brian Wilson tweeted. “He was there in the beginning and showed us all how to rock and roll. He was such a talent and we will miss it. Little Richard’s music will take forever.”