Little Willie John facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Little Willie John
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John circa 1955
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Edward John |
| Born | November 15, 1937 Cullendale, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | May 26, 1968 (aged 30) Walla Walla, Washington, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1955–1968 |
| Labels | King Records |
William Edward "Little Willie" John (born November 15, 1937 – died May 26, 1968) was a talented American R&B singer. He was famous in the 1950s and early 1960s for his hit songs. Some of his most popular tunes include "All Around the World" (1955), "Need Your Love So Bad" (1956), and "Talk to Me, Talk to Me" (1958). His song "Fever" (1956) even reached number one on the R&B charts!
Little Willie John was a very important artist in R&B music during the 1950s. He was honored after his death by being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. In 2022, he was also welcomed into the Blues Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Start
William Edward John was born in Cullendale, Arkansas, on November 15, 1937. He was one of ten children in his family. When he was four years old, his family moved to Detroit, Michigan. His father found work in a factory there.
In the late 1940s, Willie and his older brothers and sisters formed a gospel singing group. Willie also loved to perform in local talent shows. These performances helped him get noticed by famous musicians and producers like Johnny Otis and Henry Glover. After Glover saw him sing with the Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams orchestra, he offered Willie a recording contract. In 1955, Willie signed with King Records. He was given the nickname "Little Willie" because he was not very tall.
Rising to Fame with Hit Songs
Little Willie John's first song, "All Around the World", was a big success. It reached number 5 on the Billboard R&B chart. He then had many more R&B hits. One of these was "Need Your Love So Bad", which he wrote with his older brother, Mertis John Jr.
One of his biggest songs was "Fever" (1956). This song was a massive hit, selling over one million copies! It reached number 1 on the R&B chart and number 24 on the Pop chart. Another famous singer, Peggy Lee, later recorded a very popular version of "Fever" in 1958.
In 1958, his song "Talk to Me, Talk to Me" also became a huge hit. It reached number 5 on the R&B chart and number 20 on the Pop chart, selling over a million copies too. Later, Sunny & the Sunglows had another hit with their cover of the song. Willie John also recorded other popular songs like "I'm Shakin'", "Suffering with the Blues", and "Sleep" (1960). In total, Little Willie John had fourteen songs appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Many of his songs were covered by other famous artists. For example, Fleetwood Mac had a hit in Europe with their version of "Need Your Love So Bad". Also, The Beatles recorded his song "Leave My Kitten Alone" in 1964, though their version wasn't released until 1995.
Performances and Activism
Little Willie John performed at many important events. On August 3, 1958, he was a headliner at the famous Cavalcade of Jazz concert in Los Angeles. Other big stars like Ray Charles and Sam Cooke also performed there.
Willie John was also involved in the Civil Rights Movement. This movement worked to end unfair treatment and segregation. In 1964, he performed a special concert to raise money for the NAACP. He believed that entertainers should help raise money for important causes.
Later Career and Family
Little Willie John continued to record music, but his career faced challenges. He was dropped by his record company, King Records, in 1963. He passed away on May 26, 1968, due to a heart attack. He was buried in Detroit Memorial Park East in Warren, Michigan.
Willie John was married to Darlynn (née Bonner) and they had two children, William Kevin John and Darryl Keith John. His mother and several brothers and sisters also survived him. One of his sisters, Mable John, was also a singer who recorded for Motown and Stax Records. She was also a member of The Raelettes, who sang backup for Ray Charles. Willie John's son, Keith John, is a backing vocalist for the famous musician Stevie Wonder.
Legacy and Honors
Little Willie John's music continues to be celebrated. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Stevie Wonder presented this honor to his family.
James Brown, who used to open shows for Little Willie John early in his career, recorded a tribute album called Thinking About Little Willie John and a Few Nice Things.
Many musicians have mentioned Little Willie John in their own songs. These include Robbie Robertson of The Band, Tom Russell, Mark Lanegan, and the Swedish singer-songwriter Peter LeMarc.
A book about his life, called Fever: Little Willie John, a Fast Life, Mysterious Death and the Birth of Soul, was published in 2011. It was written by Susan Whitall with his son, Kevin John.
Little Willie John was also inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame as a singer in 2014 and as a songwriter in 2016. In June 2016, he was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame. In 2022, he joined the Blues Hall of Fame. They noted that he was a "sharply attired and exciting showstopper" who was remembered as "mischievous, fun-loving, and generous."
Images for kids
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John circa 1955
See also
In Spanish: Little Willie John para niños
