Little Richard, rock ’n’ roll trailblazer, dies aged 87

Musician Little Richard poses for a still in Los Angeles, California to promote the movie "Don't Knock The Rock" which was released in 1956.
(Image credit: Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer)

Little Richard, one of the founding fathers of rock ’n’ roll, has died aged 87.

Richard - real name Richard Penniman - had been suffering with hip problems, a stroke and a heart attack in recent years. His death was confirmed to Rolling Stone by his son, Danny Penniman, who said the cause of death was unknown.

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Michael Astley-Brown

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.