Photos: Little Richard through the years

Things to Do

Photos: Little Richard through the years

Music icon Little Richard celebrates his 81st birthday on Dec. 5, 2013. Keep clicking to see photos of him through the years.

Music icon Little Richard celebrates his 81st birthday on Dec. 5, 2013. Keep clicking to see photos of him through the years. Here, he performs during the annual PBS "A Capitol Fourth" concert at the U.S. Capitol on July 3, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

The newly shorn American rock 'n' roll singer and pianist Little Richard stretches and yawns while on a visit to England in October 1962.

American rock 'n' roll legend Little Richard, born Richard Wayne Penniman, pulls a characteristic face on Nov. 21, 1966.

Rock 'n' roll singer and pianist Little Richard with Screaming Lord Sutch, leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party at Wembley Stadium, London, circa 1970. Sutch wears a parrot on his shoulder.

Rock 'n' roll legend Little Richard in costume at an empty Wembley Stadium during rehearsals for a concert on Aug. 3, 1972.

Influential rock 'n' roll legend Little Richard sings live at the La Valbonne Club on Oct. 3, 1978.

Little Richard during the 1995 Jazz Fest in New Orleans.

Little Richard performs at the 93rd birthday and 88th year in show business gala celebration for Milton Berle in Beverly Hills, Calif., on July 22, 2001.

Little Richard and Chuck Berry on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" at NBC Studios in Los Angeles on Jan. 24, 2002.

Little Richard and Chuck Berry on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" at NBC Studios in Los Angeles, Calif., on Jan. 24, 2002.

Musician Little Richard attends the 33rd annual National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Awards on Feb. 23, 2002, at the Universal Amphitheatre in Universal City Plaza, Calif.

Little Richard at the 33rd NAACP Image Awards at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles on Feb. 23, 2002.

Little Richard, with Mick Fleetwood, Jane Wiedlin and the Pointer Sisters, leads an all-star group at the taping of "American Bandstand's 50th ... A Celebration" at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif., on April 21, 2002.

Dick Clark and Little Richard at the taping of "American Bandstand's 50th ... A Celebration" at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif., on April 21, 2002.

Little Richard and Chuck Berry were each honored with the Icon Award at the 50th annual BMI Pop Awards at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on May 14, 2002.

Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, with BMI President and CEO Frances Preston, were each honored with the Icon Award at the 50th annual BMI Pop Awards at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on May 14, 2002.

Little Richard brings in 2003 at Underground Atlanta's 17th annual Peach Drop on Dec. 31, 2002.

Singer Little Richard (center) wipes away tears during the funeral of music legend Ray Charles at the First AME Church in Los Angeles on June 18, 2004, in Los Angeles.

Musician Little Richard performs during the halftime show of the game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Boise State Broncos in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31, 2004, at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn.

Musician Little Richard performs on stage at the 2005 TV Land Awards at Barker Hangar on March 13, 2005, in Santa Monica, Calif.

Musician Little Richard arrives to a funeral service for musician Lou Rawls at the West Angeles Church of God in Christ on Jan. 13, 2006, in Los Angeles.

Little Richard acknowledges a mourner after giving remarks about Phil Walden at the funeral for the Southern music pioneer at the Cathedral of St. Philip on April 26, 2006.

Musicians Little Richard (left), John Fogerty and Jerry Lee Lewis perform onstage during the 50th annual Grammy awards held at the Staples Center on Feb. 10, 2008, in Los Angeles.

Multi-Grammy winning artist Ceelo and the legendary Little Richard attend the debut of The Legacy Lounge presented by The Recording Academy Atlanta Chapter at the W Atlanta Downtown on Sept. 29, 2013.

1/24

Music icon Little Richard celebrates his 81st birthday on Dec. 5, 2013. Keep clicking to see photos of him through the years. Here, he performs during the annual PBS "A Capitol Fourth" concert at the U.S. Capitol on July 3, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

Today's Gallery Headlines

Coca-Cola first ad

PHOTOS: Coca-Cola ads over time

Alonzo Herndon

PHOTOS: Philanthropists leave mark on Atlanta

gainesville, thomas county central

PHOTOS: Thomas County Central pummels Gainesville for 5A state title

jefferson, sandy creek

PHOTOS: Sandy Creek defeats Jefferson for Class 3A championship

More Galleries

the weeknd

PHOTOS: The Weeknd electrifies the crowd at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz stadium

PHOTOS: Beyonce fans saddle up for 4-day Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

PHOTOS: Beyoncé fans arrive for 4-night Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

College Park Juneteenth Parade standalone photo

PHOTOS: Juneteenth Parade held in College Park

4th Annual Rick Ross Car Show

PHOTOS: Rapper Rick Ross holds 4th annual car show in Fayetteville