Richard Wayne Penniman (born December 5, 1932), known by the stage name Little Richard, is an ‎American singer, songwriter, musician, recording artist, and actor, considered key in the transition ‎from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the mid-1950s. He was also the first artist to put the funk ‎in the rock and roll beat and contributed significantly to the early development of soul music.‎

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Richard