NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Little Richard, the self-proclaimed “architect of rock ‘n’ roll” whose piercing wail, pounding piano, and towering pompadour irrevocably altered popular music while introducing black R&B to white America, has died on May 9. He was 87.
Pastor Bill Minson, a close friend of Little Richard’s, told The Associated Press that Little Richard died Saturday morning. Minson said he also spoke to Little Richard’s son and brother.
