Original: Richard Wayne Penniman ( born December 5 , 1932 ) , known by the stage name Little Richard , is an American singer , songwriter , pianist and recording artist , considered key in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950s .
Simplified: Richard Wayne Penniman ( born December 5 1932 ) , better known as Little Richard , is an African-American singer , songwriter , and pianist , who began playing in the 1940s and recorded his songs from 1951 .