Rock 'n' roll pioneer Little Richard dies at age 87

Rock 'n' roll pioneer Little Richard dies at age 87

Little Richard, the self-proclaimed "architect of rock 'n' roll" who built his ground-breaking sound with a boiling blend of boogie-woogie, rhythm and blues and gospel, died on Saturday at the age of 87.

This report produced by Jillian Kitchener

EDITORS NOTE: RESENDING TO INCLUDE CONFIRMATION FROM DICK ALEN AND CAUSE OF DEATH Little Richard, the self-proclaimed "architect of rock 'n' roll” with hits like ‘Tutti Frutti’ and ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’, died on Saturday at the age of 87.

That’s according to Richard's former agent, Dick Alen.

Rolling Stone magazine - which spoke to Richard's son - said the musician succumbed to cancer.

Little Richard had built his ground-breaking sound with a blend of boogie-woogie, rhythm & blues and gospel.

At his peak in the 1950s and early ‘60s - Richard pounded the piano like a man man… and shouted, moaned and trilled hits like “Long Tall Sally” and “Lucille.” His music drew in both young black and white fans at a time when parts of the United States still were strictly segregated.

Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, James Brown, Otis Redding, David Bowie and Rod Stewart are among the artists who have cited Little Richard as an influence.