Wayne Brady pays tribute to the late Little Richard in energetic performance at virtual 2020 BET Awards
Rock and roll icon Little Richard passed away on May 9 at the age of 87.
And on Sunday night, comedian and TV personality Wayne Brady paid tribute to the late legend during the 2020 BET Awards, which took place via a virtual ceremony.
Brady, 48, donned a shiny gold tuxedo to run through a medley of Little Richard’s hits.
Homage: Comedian and TV personality Wayne Brady paid tribute to the late Little Richard during the 2020 BET Awards, which took place via a virtual ceremony Sunday night
He put on an energetic show as he tried to channel the larger than life entertainer who was among the pioneers of rock and roll.
Brady started off accompanying himself on the piano as he performed Lucille, even climbing up on top of the instrument at one point.
He then launched into Good Golly, Miss Molly and accompanied by dancers in matching gold outfits and face masks, he belted out Tutti Frutti.
Tribute: Brady, 48, donned a shiny gold tuxedo to run through a medley of Little Richard’s hits, starting off accompanying himself on the piano as he performed Lucille
Energetic: In his efforts to impersonate the legendary singer and showman, Brady even clambered up on top of the piano
Song and dance man: He then launched into Good Golly, Miss Molly and accompanied by dancers in matching gold outfits and face masks, he belted out Tutti Frutti
Virtual performance: The tribute had been pre-taped and was shot at Brady’s mansion
It seems Brady was chosen to do the tribute since he portrayed Little Richard in an episode of the BET drama series American Soul.
Another departed music legend who received a tribute during Sunday’s awards show was Aretha Franklin, thanks to Jennifer Hudson who plays the Queen of Soul in the upcoming biopic Respect.
Little Richard is regarded as one of the chief architects of rock and roll who introduced black R&B to white America.
He sold more than 30 million records worldwide and was famous for his pompadour, makeup and over-the-top piano playing.
He died of bone cancer at a family home in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
R.I.P.: Little Richard is regarded as one of the chief architects of rock and roll. He passed away on May 9 from bone cancer at the age of 87