CNN entertainment | Little Richard embraced fluidity in rock ‘n’ roll. These are some of the artists he influenced

(CNN) — When Little Richard performed, he didn’t just sing and dance — he howled, commanding the stage like a peacock on display.

Though he struggled to reconcile his sexuality with his devout Christian faith throughout his life, he had no such trouble in his performance, donning feminine dress, wearing makeup and generally breaking down gender conventions with confidence.

Late icons like Prince and David Bowie and contemporary stars like Janelle Monáe, all of whom have played with gender expression onstage, owe much to Little Richard. Other artists have adopted his audacious vocal style or showmanship — Dick Clark once called him the “model for almost every rock ‘n’ roll performer in the ‘50s and years thereafter.” Here are the artists inspired by Little Richard’s onstage daring.

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