Little Richard was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist, best known for being the “Architect of Rock and Roll.” He was born on December 5, 1932, in Macon, Georgia, as Richard Wayne Penniman to Charles and Leva Mae Penniman. Growing up, Little Richard was a small and skinny child hence the nickname. He also grew up in a religious home, often joining the choir and belting out gospel songs. He eventually left school after he was invited by Sister Rosetta Tharpe to open her show.
In 1955, Little Richard rose to stardom when his song “Tutti Frutti” became an instant hit, dominating the charts across continents. He released another song “Long Tall Sally” the following year and was greeted with commercial success. Over the following years, Little Richard would release more than ten hit singles, all of which topped the Billboard Rhythm and Blues Best-Sellers chart. During his peak, the singer toured Europe with the newly formed group, the Beatles, who opened several of his shows.
In a surprising turn of events, Little Richard left the rock and roll genre and pursued religion. Despite the career change, the singer never lost fans and was credited with uniting people together with his music. During a time when segregation was at its strongest, Little Richard’s music broke racial barriers and inspired other white artists. Some musicians who have praised the singer’s talents are Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, and Pat Boone. Little Richard was also inducted into the Rock and Rall Hall of Fame in 1986.
Towards the end of his life, Little Richard produced music in other genres including gospel and soul. His later statements on his personal views and sexuality would also fuel the many controversies surrounding the singer. He eventually passed away on May 9, 2020, at 87 years old, but left some questions still unanswered. For instance, was Little Richard gay? Continue reading below to find out the truth.
VOTE: What was Little Richard’s Sexuality?
Little Richard’s Dating History
Although he lived an extremely public life, Little Richard managed to keep the details of his relationships out of the spotlight. Not much was known about his private affairs except that he was married at least once. The singer also had a reputation for having a colorful and active dating history. Here’s a brief summary of all the romantic connections that Little Richard had throughout his career.
Little Richard and Audrey Robinson (1956-1960)
In 1956, Little Richard met 16-year-old college student Audrey Robinson and they quickly engaged in a relationship. When the singer released his autobiography in 1984, he mentioned his affair with Robinson. According to Little Richard, they had an “open” relationship where he would share Robinson with some of his male friends, including American singer Buddy Holly. When asked about their relationship in later years, Robinson would deny the singer’s claims.
It turned out that Little Richard also proposed to Robinson but she refused. They broke up briefly and then reconnected during the 1960s. Unfortunately, their rekindled affair didn’t last long. Little Richard spiralled down into his drug use, prompting Robinson to leave the singer for good. She eventually went on to become a socialite and stripper under the stage name “Lee Angel.”
Little Richard and Ernestine Harvin (1957-1964)
In October 1957, Little Richard met his future wife, Ernestine Harvin, at an evangelical rally. They dated for two years before finally tying the knot on July 12, 1959, in California. The couple enjoyed a blissful marriage but didn’t have any biological children. They soon adopted their only child, Danny Jones, from a church friend.
Sadly, Little Richard’s newfound fame took a toll on their marriage. The singer began neglecting their relationship and the pair drifted apart. After seven years of marriage, the couple decided to divorce. Little Richard kept custody of their son while Harvin moved on and remarried.
The Singer’s Complicated Sexuality
At the time of his debut, Little Richard was one of the very few openly gay musicians in the industry. The singer already knew from a young age that he was different from the rest of his peers. He was often teased for his effeminate appearance while his religious father punished him for experimenting with his mother’s makeup. When Little Richard was 15 years old, his father kicked him out of the house because he “wanted seven boys.”
As Little Richard’s career gained traction, he was associated with another gay musician, Billy Wright. The latter also influenced the singer’s signature flamboyant style and pancake makeup. During this time, Little Richard also started engaging in voyeurism and group sex.
Over the years, the singer would release conflicting statements regarding his sexuality. In a 1995 interview with Penthouse Magazine, Little Richard claimed that he has been gay his entire life. A few years down the road, other magazines would refer to him as a “bisexual.” However, during a 1982 appearance on “Late Night with David Letterman,” the singer seemed to denounce his homosexuality.
God gave me the victory. I’m not gay now, but, you know, I was gay all my life. I believe I was one of the first gay people to come out. But God let me know that he made Adam be with Eve, not Steve. So, I gave my heart to Christ.”
Little Richard on Late Night with David Letterman, 1982
The singer would double down on this statement in his 1984 memoir. In th book, he described homosexuality as “unnatural” and “contagious.” In October 2017, Little Richard didn’t change his views and continued calling same-sex relationships “going against the way God wants you to live.”
With these statements, people were confused regarding Little Richard’s sexuality. For the LGBTQ community, it felt unfortunate that an icon who once stood for freedom of self-expression was now denouncing the very same community that made him feel welcome. Little Richard continued to speak out against these matters until his death in 2020.
Was Little Richard Gay?
Yes, Little Richard was gay. At one point, the singer admitted that he had been gay his whole life. However, he backtracked on these statements and denounced homosexuality. The reasons for his actions remain unclear. At this time, it can be safe to assume that Little Richard was either gay or bisexual.
Featured Image: “Little Richard”, by Anna Bleker, licensed under PDM 1.0 DEED