Wissenswertes

He was voted the 8th Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artist of all time by Rolling Stone.

He had one leg three inches shorter than the other; would sometimes wake up from a night of partying, with one pant-leg cuff noticeably frayed from walking barefoot.

He knew James Brown, Billy Preston and Jimi Hendrix from his early days in the music business.

He became close to The Beatles when he toured England in the early 1960s. He and Beatles manager Brian Epstein got along especially well. Epstein persuaded him to lend his personal microphone to another singer when the stage mic failed, and to perform an extra concert.

The immortal Jimi Hendrix was a member of one of his touring bands, before Hendrix launched his solo career.

He presided over the 1987 Las Vegas marriage of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore at the Golden Nugget Hotel. Former brat packer Ally Sheedy was a bridesmaid.

He was one of the greatest musical influences on Sir Paul McCartney and David Bowie. According to producer Nile Rodgers, Richard was the initial inspiration for Bowie's biggest ever album, "Let's Dance" (1983). Bowie once said: "When I heard Little Richard, it just set my world on fire.".

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6840 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on June 21, 1990.

He was awarded a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee in November 9, 2008.

He was awarded a star on the Apollo Theater Walk of Fame in Manhattan, New York City on May 11, 2010.

Many of his contemporaries, including Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everly Brothers, Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran, recorded cover versions of his songs.

He was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame (1984), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1986), the NAACP Image Award Hall of Fame (2002), the American Songwriters Hall of Fame (2003), the Apollo Theater Hall of Fame (2006), the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame (2009), the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame (2015), and the Blues Hall of Fame (2015).

He appeared in the music video and sang lead vocals on the song "Voices That Care".

Had five sisters: Leva "Sylvia" Penniman, Elnora "Peggie" Penniman, Freka Merrill Penniman, Artis "Elaine" Harmison and Gail Penniman.

With Ernestine Campbell, had a son named Danny Penniman.

Had six brothers: Horace "Tony" Penniman, Walter Penniman, Robert Penniman, Charles Penniman Jr., Marquette Penniman and Peyton Penniman.

He was interred at Oakwood Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Huntsville, Alabama.

Was the third born child of Leva Mae Penniman and Charles "Bud" Penniman.

His music was on two different Arnold Schwarzenegger movie soundtracks predator and last action hero which he also had a cameo in.

His nieces include Charita Penniman and Laudina Penniman, and his nephews include Charles Penniman II and Dena Penniman.