Steven Van Zandt remembers Little Richard in touching tribute: exclusive – USA TODAY

Rock legend Steven Van Zandt is paying tribute to rock and roll pioneer Little Richard, who died Saturday at age 87.

The E Street Band member and singer-songwriter remembered the late “Tutti Frutti” singer in an exclusive statement to the  USA TODAY Network, sharing what Richard Penniman meant to him as an artist and how he transformed the genre.

Read his letter in full below:

Little Richard has always been the most important of all the Pioneers of Rock and Roll. 

They all brought something essential that would contribute to the basic DNA of what has proven to be one of the great enduring art forms.  

Chuck Berry was the storyteller, he (and later Bob Dylan) would bring the lyrics; Bo Diddley introduced the rhythm of pure sex into the mix; Jerry Lee Lewis’ wild abandon exorcised his religious demons; Buddy Holly let the nerds in; the Everlys would show that brotherly hatred could produce the most beautiful harmony; and Elvis Presley would popularize it to the world. 

Richard summarized it all. What he brought was the very essence of what makes rock different than all the other art forms. He opened his mouth and out came liberation. He simply embodied the spirit and soul of Rock and Roll. 

His amazing records combined with his flamboyant androgyny would define the fearlessness of the art form and influence all that came after, including Elvis, the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix (his former guitar player), Bob Dylan, and Prince. 

While the other Pioneers may have been exaggerations of their own eccentricities, they were more or less themselves. 

Little Richard was the only one that completely reinvented himself. He made reimagining oneself more than just acceptable in this new freedom loving not-yet-art form, he made transformation an essential element in achieving one’s potential. 

He made it possible for a shy Jewish kid from a midwestern mining town named Robert Allen Zimmerman to imagine the impossible dream of becoming Bob Dylan the world’s foremost iconic warrior poet. 

For a shy student of economics named Michael to become Mick Jagger, the world’s most famous frontman. 

For an introverted too-small-for-sports kid from a broken family to become the gigantic towering artistry of Prince. 

Young Richard Penniman confronted a frightening 1950s American South as a gay black man as only a brilliant, courageous hero could-with an invented persona that was so over the top his enemies had to laugh. 

He disarmed the world with his charm, his attitude, and his infinite talent. 

While many black artists like Chuck Berry never stopped being bitter about being ripped off by whites, Richard saw Pat Boone as an unpaid publicist introducing his music to the teenagers he couldn’t reach until DJ Alan Freed broke down that racial barrier.    

Check out Richard’s early Gospel records if you can find them. He never stopped speaking on behalf of his God. And I hope he’s with Him or Her now. 

But for me, Rock and Roll being my religion, my God just left the Earth. 

I feel privileged to have had him as my namesake, friend, and mentor. 

I feel honored he chose Maureen and I to be the first marriage he officiated. 

And I feel lucky to have been on the same planet at the same time as the Man that gave birth to the Artform that gave me a reason to live. 

Thank you Richard. 

Little Steven (Van Zandt)

Check out these Little Richard classics: From ‘Tutti Frutti’ to ‘Good Golly, Miss Molly’

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