We are saddened to hear of the passing of Little Richard. His musical stylings of boogie woogie and blues, as well as stage theatrics, helped to form the identity of rock n’ roll. As one of the founders of the genre — along with the likes of Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis — Richard’s impact on future artists is inestimable. The Beatles recorded several covers including “Kansas City”; Jimi Hendrix played with The Upsetters, Richard’s touring band; and Prince went on to popularize a stage persona with nods to Richard: makeup, big hair and all. As Hendrix, the Rolling Stones and countless others continue to inspire new artists, the legacy of Richard lives on.