Little Richard is being mourned by his fellow rock legends. The “true original” died on May 9 at 87 of bone cancer. Ringo Starr called him “one of my all-time musical heroes.” Elton John said, “Without a doubt – musically, vocally and visually – he was my biggest influence.”
Bob Dylan wrote, in part: “Of course he’ll live forever. But it’s like a part of your life is gone.”
Keith Richards called him “the true spirit of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Mick Jagger described him as “the biggest inspiration of my early teens.”
Fellow rock and roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis described “my lifelong friend” as “one of a kind.”
One day after Little Richard passed, Paul McCartney paid tribute, writing in part, “I thank him for all he taught me and the kindness he showed by letting me be his friend.”
We’ve selected tributes from many of music’s brightest stars.
So sad to hear that my old friend Little Richard has passed. There will never be another!!! He was the true spirit of Rock’n Roll! pic.twitter.com/yU1EJmjejU
— Keith Richards (@officialKeef) May 9, 2020
Jagger also wrote, “When we were on tour with him I would watch his moves every night and learn from him how to entertain and involve the audience and he was always so generous with advice to me.”
Mick Jagger’s tribute to Little Richard on May 9, 2020
God bless little Richard one of my all-time musical heroes. Peace and love to all his family. 😎✌️🌟❤️🎵🎶💕☮️ pic.twitter.com/H2lzKbX3tm
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) May 9, 2020
Little Richard RIP pic.twitter.com/HU3erfK6S3
— The Beatles (@thebeatles) May 9, 2020
Bob Dylan wrote, “I just heard the news about Little Richard and I’m so grieved. He was my shining star and guiding light back when I was only a little boy. His was the original spirit that moved me to do everything I would do. I played some shows with him in Europe in the early nineties and got to hang out in his dressing room a lot. He was always generous, kind and humble. And still dynamite as a performer and a musician and you could still learn plenty from him. In his presence he was always the same Little Richard that I first heard and was awed by growing up and I always was the same little boy. Of course he’ll live forever. But it’s like a part of your life is gone.”
Absolutely heartbroken this morning at also hearing the news of the passing of my bro & friend, the great Little Richard. From our connection through our mutual mentor, Bumps Blackwell, to recording “Money Is” & “Do It To It” for the $ soundtrack, to…https://t.co/jeHNYYobEP pic.twitter.com/aEJEQVuNN9
— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) May 9, 2020
I’m very sorry to hear about Little Richard. He was there at the beginning and showed us all how to rock and roll. He was a such a great talent and will be missed. Little Richard’s music will last forever.
Love & Mercy, Brian pic.twitter.com/kcak6Rf4Re— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) May 9, 2020
Jerry Lee Lewis wrote on his Facebook page: “It is with a heavy heart that I ask for prayers for the family of my lifelong friend and fellow Rocker ‘Little Richard.’ He will live on always in my heart with his amazing talent and his friendship! He was one of a kind and I will miss him dearly. God Bless his family and fans. Rest In Peace, my friend. Love Eternally, Jerry Lee Lewis”
Little Richard ~ my inspiration!!! A first generation rock ‘n’ roll original!!! But most of all a dear friend for over 60 years. eternal rest my friend💕 Dion pic.twitter.com/Qcsk8TmA6h
— DION (@thewandererdion) May 9, 2020
Without a doubt – musically, vocally and visually – he was my biggest influence. Seeing him live in my teens was the most exciting event in my life at that point. Goosebumps, electricity and joy came from every pore. pic.twitter.com/Enno1mgfTO
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) May 9, 2020
Spike Lee shared his Nike commercial that featured Little Richard and Michael Jordan, along with Lee’s “Mars Blackmon” character. “Do you know? Do you know? Do you know?”
To my dear Richard,
You’re a true original, you broke all the rules and you weren’t afraid to show it. A magnificent talent and an inspiration to so many of us.
My heart goes out to your loved ones, RIP my friend. pic.twitter.com/yRJoSUDk2I— Tom Jones (@RealSirTomJones) May 9, 2020
Blessings to Little Richard, a true original and pioneer of Rock ‘n’ Roll. His song “Baby Face” was the first single I bought. God grant him eternal peace.#LittleRichard #RockAndRoll pic.twitter.com/iuNUlkPoPz
— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) May 9, 2020
— Debbie Harry/BLONDIE (@BlondieOfficial) May 9, 2020
He was so great, he looked crazy so perfect #riplittlerichard
— Dave Davies (@davedavieskinks) May 9, 2020
RIP Little Richard, a very sad loss. My thoughts are with his loved ones.
It’s Little Richard’s songs that pioneered rock’n’roll. I got to hear him and his band at the Newport Lounge in Miami and boy were they good. pic.twitter.com/JXgahhJAfk— Jimmy Page (@JimmyPage) May 9, 2020
#LittleRichard
Rest in peace and power. pic.twitter.com/6rVEwF5AEd— Carole King (@Carole_King) May 9, 2020
‘’The Girl Cant Help It ‘’ played a million times in my house when i was little kid in the Fifties,
it was my big brothers 78 . it laid out the Rock ’n’ Roll road for me which I gladly followed .
Thank you Richard .. thank you .
– Sir Rod Stewart CBE pic.twitter.com/NqwCfqRzIH
— Sir Rod Stewart (@rodstewart) May 9, 2020
Little Richard is worshipped by anyone who loves rock and roll. He officiated Tom’s wedding to Dana York and having him there that day filled him and everyone in attendance with joy, awe and delight. He will be sorely missed by the music community. ♥️ to his family pic.twitter.com/tnCj0qRkpi
— Tom Petty (@tompetty) May 9, 2020
2 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationThis Little Richard tribute is a big reason why “Best Classic Bands is a GREAT website
Thanks for sharing shout outs for Little Richards = nice tribute as he enters into the Rock & Roll Heaven…what a show that should be!R