Little Richard sang songs like Good Golly, Miss Molly and Lucille, but few know that the same rhythm and blues pioneer claimed an experience with God in 1957 .
The singer made rock music famous. He also had an epiphany during a concert that almost made him give up on the music industry as a whole.
Also read: Is church still safe for Christians in South Africa?
According to reports, he “saw God” in 1957.
Find out what led this musician to switch genres and why he transitioned from musician to preacher.
Who was Little Richard?
Little Richard was born Richard Wayne Penniman in 1932.
He is considered one of the founders of rock music.
His career began at a young age singing in church. After that, he found a local club and started performing more.
This path soon led to his hit song “Tutti Fruity” and a career as a rock pioneer.
At his peak, Rolling Stone magazine called him “the most handsome man in rock and roll.”
How Little Richard “saw God” in 1957
Little Richard said in 1957 that he “saw God.”
During a concert in Sydney, Richard reported seeing a bright fireball appear during the performance. It couldn't have been anyone but God, the singer said, and he soon converted to Christianity and studied to become a preacher.
After this incident, he encouraged others to burn their previous albums.
Now, Little Richard said he didn't want to play what he called “the devil's music” anymore.
Musicians and Christianity
Little Richard was not the first musician to change his mind about his faith.
Bob Dylan did something similar, disseminating information about Christianity at concerts after his conversion. Musician Cat Stevens converted to Islam and changed his name to Yusuf Islam.
Can you think of a musician who changed their industry because of their faith?
Read more articles by François Jansen (Alex J. Coyne)
