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). “He was a such a great talent and will be missed. Little Richard’s music will last forever.
Over his seven-decade-plus career, Richard recorded and performed classics like “Tutti Frutti,” “Good Golly, Miss Molly,” “Long Tall Sally,” and “Rip It Up.” He often referred to himself as “the architect of rock n’ roll.”
#LittleRichard was a genius, pure and simple,” Midler tweeted. “He paved the way for (code for he was ripped off by)so many artists. Watch his YouTube performances to see what I mean. I met him on ‘Down and Out in Beverly Hills’, in which he was hilarious. What a legacy. God bless you, Richard.”
See more reactions to Little Richard’s death below.
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