The 75-year-old rock 'n' roll pioneer was seated at the rear of the auditorium during a concert by 1960s Motown stalwarts The Temptations and the Four Tops.
He got an extended ovation from the sold-out crowd of about 2,400 Sunday night after being introduced by Otis Williams, an original member of The Temptations.
"We've done some shows together," Williams said.
Little Richard, a native of Macon, Ga., now lives in Tennessee.
He recently performed with Jerry Lee Lewis and John Fogerty on the Grammy Awards.
Ryman Auditorium is the original home of the Grand Ole Opry.
