(1935– )
a US singer of early rock and roll who also played the piano. He was born Richard Wayne Penniman and was known for his wild, noisy style. His hits included Tutti Frutti (1956), Lucille (1957) and Good Golly, Miss Molly (1957). He stopped singing in 1957 to become a preacher (= religious leader) and said that rock and roll was ‘the devil’s music’. He began to sing again in 1964, mostly the blues and soul music. In 1986 he was one of the first people to be chosen for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame .