Business Standard

Little Richard retiring

Image

Press Trust of India Los Angeles
Rock 'n' roll legend Little Richard is retiring and will now continue to devote his time to designing clothes and praying.

The 80-year-old 'Tutti Frutti' singer is famed for his elaborate shows, outrageous costumes and larger-than-life showmanship, reported Rolling Stone magazine.

"I am done, in a sense. I don't feel like doing anything right now," he said.

Richard says he now spends his time designing clothes and praying, as well as thinking about how people will perceive his life's work.

"I think my legacy should be that when I started in show business, there wasn't no such thing as rock 'n' roll... When I started with 'Tutti Frutti', that's when rock really started rocking," he added.
 

Richard's health has been of concern in recent years, with him suffering from sciatica and a degenerating hip.

He has performed sporadically, but had to stop a show in 2012.

Richard, born Richard Penniman in 1932, had recovered sufficiently to headline the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend in March this year, which could end up being his last ever performance.

At that show Richard talked to the crowd about breaking his hip and how, because of his age, doctors told him he wouldn't survive an operation, so he no longer walks, but he added how lucky he felt to be alive and to still be able to sing.

Don't miss the most important news and views of the day. Get them on our Telegram channel

First Published: Sep 05 2013 | 6:25 AM IST

Explore News