The music world loses two legends this weekend
Written by Site Hub on May 11, 2020
This weekend, many people were shocked to learn of the passing of two music legends whose influence has been felt across genres for decades.
New York native Andre Harrell, a founder of Uptown Records, later head of Motown Records, and Executive Producer for “New York Undercover,” passed away on Friday, May 8, of heart failure from preexisting heart problems. He was 59 years old. In Harrell’s early career, he was half of the Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde rap duo. Later, through the 80s and 90s, Harrell brought to light the talents of many artists, including Sean Combs and Mary J. Blige. Harrell is remembered as a pioneer of Black entertainment and hip-hop and R&B music.
On Saturday, the world also lost one of the founding fathers of rock n’ roll. Richard Wayne Penniman, known popularly as Little Richard, passed away at 87 years old of complications related to bone cancer. Little Richard touched the hearts of music lovers around the world with new trends in R&B, rock and gospel music. He is best remembered for his free spirit, flamboyant style and ground-breaking songs like “Tutti Frutti,” “Good Golly Miss Molly,” “Lucille,” “Long Tall Sally,” and “Rip It Up.” He also influenced many other music greats, including The Beatles, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, and Prince. In 1986, he was one of the first people to ever be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Sources:
