Little Richard is to tour again

The 76-year-old rock 'n' roll legend recently had hip surgery and the procedure went so well he now plans to play a series of shows next year.

The musician was released from a Nashville hospital yesterday (01.12.09) and once he is fully recuperated he will get "back on the road as soon as possible and start rocking like the old days".

Little Richard – real name Richard Wayne Penniman – had been touring this year prior to his operation.

The 'Good Golly Miss Molly' singer was one the founders of the rock 'n' roll movement in America in the 50s and went on to become one of the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

His Hall of Fame entry reads: "More than any other performer - save, perhaps, Elvis Presley - Little Richard blew the lid off the 50s, laying the foundation for rock 'n' roll with his explosive music and charismatic persona. On record, he made spine-tingling rock and roll."

In the 60s, he toured the UK with the then little-known Rolling Stones and The Beatles and has been cited by both bands as a massive influence on their work.