In 1951, Little Richard Penniman began recording for RCA Records in the late - 1940s jump blues style of Joe Brown and Billy Wright. However, it was n't until he prepared a demo in 1954, that caught the attention of Specialty Records, that the world would start to hear his new, uptempo, funky rhythm and blues that would catapult him to fame in 1955 and help define the sound of rock and roll. A rapid succession of rhythm - and - blues hits followed, beginning with "Tutti Frutti '' and "Long Tall Sally '', which would influence performers such as James Brown, Elvis Presley, and Otis Redding.
who is considered to be the most significant r&b performer during the 1950s
Little Richard