Little Richard Ready to Rock After Hip Surgery

Little Richard says that he intends to return to live work in 2010 after undergoing successful hip surgery. The 76-year-old rock 'n' roll pioneer made the announcement yesterday following his release from a Nashville hospital.

Richard -- who turns 77 on Dec. 5 -- told the Associated Press he would be "shouting 'shut up' and rocking like the old days" and that he would be taking to the stage "as soon as possible." Prior to the operation, the iconic and influential performer, who gave the world classics like 'Good Golly Miss Molly,' 'Long Tall Sally' and 'Tutti Frutti,' spent part of 2009 keeping an active touring schedule.

Richard, who was born Richard Wayne Penniman in Macon, Ga. in 1932, was among the first group of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees in 1986.