As the music world continues to mourn the death ofĀ Little Richard, they’re remembering him for more than just being ‘The Architect’ of rock’n’roll.
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Read more: Little Richard 1932 ā 2020: the King and Queen of rockānāroll who gave us everything
The star, real name Richard Wayne Penniman, died yesterday (May 9), with his lawyer Bill Sobel confirming the cause of death as bone cancer.
Aside from being known as a founding father of rock’n’roll, renowned for his flamboyant style and free-spirited attitude, Little Richard quit music in 1957 for a time to attend divinity school. He became an ordained minister who officiated weddings for some of the entertainment world’s biggest stars.
As a minister, he officiated weddings for Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, Cyndi Lauper, Tom Petty, Stevie Van Zandt, and more.
“So sad Little Richard passed away,” Lauper tweeted. “He married my husband and I. He was really one of the truely great rock and roll singers and one of the rock and roll pioneers. He will be missed.”
So sad Little Richard passed away. He married my husband and I. He was really one of the truely great rock and roll singers and one of the rock and roll pioneers. He will be missed
— Cyndi Lauper (@cyndilauper) May 9, 2020
Demi Moore tweeted: “Remembering #LittleRichard today… Bruce and I were so lucky and honoured to have him officiate our wedding back in 1987 ā thankful for the memories. Rest easy.”
Remembering #LittleRichard today… Bruce and I were so lucky and honored to have him officiate our wedding back in 1987 ā thankful for the memories. Rest easy
pic.twitter.com/MFU347Ogij
— Demi Moore (@justdemi) May 9, 2020
“RIP Little Richard. The man who invented Rock and Roll,” said Stevie Van Zandt. “Elvis popularized it. Chuck Berry was the storyteller. Richard was the archetype. Maureen and I were so honored being the first marriage he conducted. We were lucky to know him. He lives forever in the Underground Garage.”
RIP Little Richard. The man who invented Rock and Roll. Elvis popularized it. Chuck Berry was the storyteller. Richard was the archetype. Maureen and I were so honored being the first marriage he conducted. We were lucky to know him. He lives forever in the Underground Garage. https://t.co/D8NwRKcshi
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) May 9, 2020
Former Detroit radio host Ken Calvert shared a photo of Little Richard officiating Tom Petty’s wedding to Dana York, writing: “Tom Petty married Dana York on June 3, 2001. The minister was Richard Penniman, AKA Little Richard. ‘He did yell, ‘Shut up!’ at one point,’ Petty chuckled. ‘He was really nervous, but so was I. He gave a long talk about love and its characteristics. He was pretty inspirational.’”
Tom Petty married Dana York on June 3, 2001. The minister was Richard Penniman, AKA Little Richard. "He did yell, 'Shut up!' at one point," Petty chuckled. "He was really nervous, but so was I. He gave a long talk about love and its characteristics. He was pretty inspirational." pic.twitter.com/J0wLZJ5i5j
— Ken Calvert (@kencalvertshow) May 9, 2020
āāFrom āTutti Fruttiā to āLong Tall Sallyā to āGood Golly, Miss Mollyā to āLucilleā, Little Richard came screaming into my life when I was a teenager,ā McCartneyĀ wrote on Instagram.
āI owe a lot of what I do to Little Richard and his style; and he knew it. He would say, āI taught Paul everything he knows,’ā he added. āI had to admit he was right.”
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