Little Richard buried at his alma mater Oakwood University in Alabama after dying from bone cancer – Daily Mail

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Little Richard is buried at his alma mater Oakwood University in Alabama after dying from bone cancer

  • Little Richard was laid to rest at his alma mater Oakwood University, a historically black college in Huntsville, Alabama, Wednesday
  • The self-proclaimed ‘architect of Rock ‘N Roll, was 87 when he died from bone cancer in Tullahoma, Tennessee on May 9
  • He was laid to rest during a private service at a cemetery owned by the Seventh-day Adventist university
  • The star’s hits, which included Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally, and Good Golly Miss Molly, inspired a generation of musicians
  • Little Richard, who was born originally as Richard Penniman, sold more than 30 million records worldwide

By Ralph R. Ortega For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

‘Architect of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ Little Richard was laid to rest at his alma mater Oakwood University, a historically black college in Huntsville, Alabama, Wednesday after he passed away from bone cancer earlier this month. 

The legendary singer, who was 87 when he died in Tullahoma, Tennessee on May 9, was laid to rest during a private service at a cemetery owned by the Seventh-day Adventist university. 

Mourners turned out for the star, who’s hits included Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally, and Good Golly Miss Molly, and inspired a generation of musicians. 

‘Architect of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ Little Richard (pictured) was laid to rest at his alma mater Oakwood University, a historically black college in Huntsville, Alabama, Wednesday after he passed away from bone cancer earlier this month

The legendary singer, who was 87 when he died in Tullahoma, Tennessee on May 9, was laid to rest during a private service at a cemetery owned by the Seventh-day Adventist university. Fans are seen waiting for a glimpse of the singer’s hearse as it arrives

A procession led by police arrived with Little Richard’s hearse not too far behind

The hearse delivering Little Richard’s body arrives at that cemetary

Fans, unable to attend the private service, snap photos of the hearse form the parking lot

Mourners turned out for the star, who’s hits included Tutti Frutti, Long Tall Sally, and Good Golly Miss Molly, and inspired a generation of musicians. Little Richard’s hearse is seen turning into the cemetary

Little Richard’s hearse is pictured just after arriving at the cemetery for a private service

The sign at the entrance to Oakwood University, which was Little Richard’s alma mater

Little Richard, born Richard Penniman, sold more than 30 million records worldwide.  

Crowds of fans, many wearing masks for protection from the coronavirus outbreak, showed up to catch a glimpse of Little Richard’s hearse as it pulled into the cemetary. 

A heavy police presence could been seenin the parking lot of the cemetery as members of the public hoped to catch once last glimpse of the singer, who claimed to be the ‘architect of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ while receiving a standing ovation at the 1988 Grammy Awards. ‘I am the originator!’ he added.

Little Richard, born Richard Penniman, sold more than 30 million records worldwide. Fans paying their last respects outside the cemetery waited for their chance to snap pictures of the singer’s hearse

Fans began leaving as soon as they got their last glimpse of the legend passing in the hearse

Police were on hand as mourners paid their respects before a private service

Mourners outside the cemetery are seen wearing face masks due to the coronavirus outbreak

Mourners wearing facial coverings are pictured leaving the cemetery after the hearse passed

Little Richard’s passing brought tributes from other legendary stars prior to the funeral.

Music icons, including Rolling Stone frontman Mick Jagger, Sir Elton John and Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page were among Rock artists who paid tribute just within hours after his death was announced.

Sir Mick said he had ‘contributed so much to popular music’, adding that he would ‘watch his moves’ to learn from them while they toured together. 

Little Richard was ‘the biggest inspiration of my early teens’ and his music still has ‘the same raw electric energy when you play it now as when it first shot through the music scene in the mid 50s’, he added. 

Sir Elton hailed Little Richard as ‘without doubt… my biggest influence’, adding: ‘Seeing him live in my teens was the most exciting event in my life at that point.’

Additional honors to Little Richard were kept private at Wednesday’s funeral as mourners gathered to pay their final respects under blue tents. A service was held in front of three crosses.

Honors to Little Richard were kept private at Wednesday’s funeral as mourners gathered to pay their final respects under blue tents

Several of the mourners wore masks for protection from the coronavirus pandemic as they stood close together to say farewell to Little Richard

Police remained nearby as the private service got underway

Mourners stood in front of three crosses at the cemetery as the service began

Mourners are pictured as the service is underway for the legendary singer

Flowers from the service were draped over over the gravesite after the service. An electrified traffic sign at the cemetery’s entrance proclaimed, ‘Good Golly Miss Molly,’ quoting the name of the song made famous by the singer.

Little Richard, who was born in Macon, Georgia, during the Great Depression, was one of 12 children but was ostracized by his family because of his sexuality. 

Born with one leg shorter than the other, he was dubbed ‘Lil’ Richard’ by his family because of his short, skinny frame.  

Flowers from the service were draped over over the gravesite after the service

An electrified traffic sign at the cemetery’s entrance proclaimed, ‘Good Golly Miss Molly,’ quoting the name of the song made famous by the singer

Little Richard, who was born in Macon, Georgia, during the Great Depression, was one of 12 children but was ostracized by his family because of his sexuality. Born with one leg shorter than the other, he was dubbed ‘Lil’ Richard’ by his family because of his short, skinny frame

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