How Little Richard officiated weddings of Cyndi Lauper, Tom Petty, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore
11 May 2020, 10:25 | Updated: 25 January 2024, 10:53
Little Richard was one of the world's greatest rock and roll stars, but he also had another hidden talent: a wedding officator for the stars.
Following Little Richard’s death on Saturday (May 9) at the age of 87, tributes came in from many celebrities including Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Mick Jagger.
There were also messages of love from Demi Moore and Cyndi Lauper, who both reminisced on when 'the architect of rock and roll' officiated their weddings.
“Bruce and I were so lucky and honored to have him officiate our wedding back in 1987 — thankful for the memories,” Moore tweeted, alongside a picture of her and Bruce Willis.
Remembering #LittleRichard today... Bruce and I were so lucky and honored to have him officiate our wedding back in 1987 — thankful for the memories. Rest easy ❤️ pic.twitter.com/MFU347Ogij
— Demi Moore (@justdemi) May 9, 2020
Cyndi Lauper also shared the moment that Little Richard married her and partner David Thornton in 1991, and the couple is still together nearly 30 years later.
Meanwhile, Steven Van Zandt shared that his wedding to wife Maureen was the first wedding Little Richard conducted.
So sad Little Richard passed away. He married my husband and I. He was really one of the truely great rock and roll singers and one of the rock and roll pioneers. He will be missed💜🙏🏻🌷
— Cyndi Lauper (@cyndilauper) May 9, 2020
RIP Little Richard. The man who invented It. Elvis popularized it. Chuck Berry was the storyteller. Richard embodied the Spirit of RocknRoll. Maureen and I were so honored being the first marriage he conducted. Were lucky to know him. He lives forever in the Underground Garage.
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) May 9, 2020
Not only that, but Little Richard also married singer Tom Petty and Dana York on June 3, 2001.
“He did yell, ‘Shut up!’ at one point,” Petty once said. “He was really nervous, but so was I. He gave a long talk about love and its characteristics, and what it shouldn’t do. He was pretty inspirational.”
Little Richard is worshipped by anyone who loves rock and roll. He officiated Tom’s wedding to Dana York and having him there that day filled him and everyone in attendance with joy, awe and delight. He will be sorely missed by the music community. ♥️ to his family pic.twitter.com/tnCj0qRkpi
— Tom Petty (@tompetty) May 9, 2020
Following Little Richard's death, there was an outpouring of tributes from fellow singers who he inspired.
“When we were on tour with him I would watch his moves every night and learn from him how to entertain and involve the audience and he was always so generous with advice to me,” Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger remembered.
“He was there at the beginning and showed us how to rock and roll,” Brian Wilson added on Twitter. “He was such a great talent and he will be missed.”
Sir Elton John wrote: "Without a doubt - musically, vocally and visually - he was my biggest influence."