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Little Richard gravely ill, according to reports

Little Richard may have serious medical issues, after legendary bassist Bootsy Collins tweeted "A friend, a legend & some say the true King of Rock & Roll. Lil-Richard needs our love & understanding right now...." last weekend.

Richard has gone through a stroke, hip surgery and a heart attack in recent years, making him reclusive in his Macon home, according to Rollingout.com. Reports are circulating that the 83-year-old's health has deteriorated to the point where family members are staying at his bedside in an unnamed hospital.

After suffering a heart attack during a fundraising even for the Recording Academy in 2013, Richard announced he was retiring from performing.

Little Richard, born Richard Wayne Penniman, was born in 1932 in Macon. He's widely known as one of rock and roll's founding fathers, with a reputation for outrageous showmanship. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 as part of its initial class of performers.

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