According to TMZ with reference to bass player Charles Glenn, Richard died in his home in Tennessee. According to him, the musician has been ill for the past two months.
Richard became famous thanks to his songs Tutti Frutti, Good Golly Miss Molly, Lucille.
In 1986, he was one of the first to be included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1993, Richard won a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement.