Rock 'N' Roll Legend Little Richard Dies At 87

NASHVILLE, TN — Flamboyant rock 'n' roll legend Little Richard known for classics like "Tutti-Fruitti" and "Good Golly Miss Molly," has died at age 87, according to TMZ and the Associated Press.

TMZ cited Richard's bass guitarist, Charles Glenn, as saying the singer died at his Tennessee home surrounded by family members, including his brother, sister and son.

Pastor Bill Minson, a close friend of Little Richard’s, told The Associated Press Richard died Saturday morning. Minson said he also spoke to Little Richard’s son and brother.

Minson added the family is not releasing the cause of death.

Born Richard Penniman, Little Richard was one of rock ‘n’ roll’s founding fathers who helped shatter the color line on the music charts, joining Chuck Berry and Fats Domino in bringing what was once called “race music” into the mainstream.

Richard’s hyperkinetic piano playing, coupled with his howling vocals and hairdo, made him an implausible sensation — a gay, black man celebrated across America during the buttoned-down Eisenhower era.

Richard was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 in the same class as Chuck Berry, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke and Fats Domino, according to the organization.

"As a musician, we all do our best to make music, and some of us try a little harder. We want to make a contribution, and Little Richard has done that successfully," Roberta Flack said in giving Little Richard's induction speech. "Good music lasts forever and ever, and Little Richard's music has made such a strong impression on all of us. We dance to it, hum along with it. We've been affected by it."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.