1950’s rock and roll icon Little Richard [born Richard Penniman} turns 80 today. All of Little Richard’s hits came in the 1950’s. He never had a #1 hit but he was a huge influence on a number of artists ranging from Paul McCartney, Mick Jaggar, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, James Brown,Prince, Michael Jackson the list is endless.

Little Richard’s greatest songs were Tutti Fruitti, Long Tall Sally, Lucille, Good Golly, Miss Molly, Jenny Jenny. He had 9 records that made the charts, 9 the Top 40. He quit rock and roll at the peak of his powers in October 1957 and became a born-again Christian. He never regained the momentum he had.

Little Richard was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the first year of the Hall of Fame 1986. An interesting biography came out about 30 years ago that he cooperated with, “The Life And Times Of Little Richard” by Charles White.  I always remember Little Richard saying that he would have liked to have called it “I Got What I Wanted But Lost What I Had” what a great title!! Little Richard has had many ups and downs in his career and life but he’s made it to 80 and he’s still active. He has been performing in public for 67 years.

Little Richard would not be on my Mt.Rushmore of 1950’s Rock and Rollers [that would be Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis but I certainly recognize his greatness and importance to the history of rock and roll/R&B Music.