Singer, Songwriter, Entertainer. Born in Cullendale, Arkansas and raised in Detroit, Michigan, he sang with Count Basie at age 14 and won a talent contest. In 1955, he had his first moderate hit with "All Around the World" which reached #5 on the R&B Chart, and #6 on the Pop Chart. The next year he recorded "Fever" which hit #1 on the R&B chart for 5 weeks. The song was later recorded by Peggy Lee. Other songs which he had hits with include "Need Your Love So Bad," "Home At Last," "Talk to Me," "Leave My Kitten Alone," and "Sleep." A man who had a volatile temper, especially when fueled by alcohol and sensitivity to his height (5'4"), he was known to get into fights. In 1964, he stabbed a man to death in a Seattle cafe following a concert performance. He was convicted in 1965 and sent to Washington State Prison in Walla Walla, where he died (officially) of a heart attack. Rumor also says he was strangled. He is buried in Warren, Michigan. In 1996, Little Willie John was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2014 & 2016 respectively, John was inducted twice into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame (as a singer and songwriter). In 2016, he was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame. In 2022, John was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
Singer, Songwriter, Entertainer. Born in Cullendale, Arkansas and raised in Detroit, Michigan, he sang with Count Basie at age 14 and won a talent contest. In 1955, he had his first moderate hit with "All Around the World" which reached #5 on the R&B Chart, and #6 on the Pop Chart. The next year he recorded "Fever" which hit #1 on the R&B chart for 5 weeks. The song was later recorded by Peggy Lee. Other songs which he had hits with include "Need Your Love So Bad," "Home At Last," "Talk to Me," "Leave My Kitten Alone," and "Sleep." A man who had a volatile temper, especially when fueled by alcohol and sensitivity to his height (5'4"), he was known to get into fights. In 1964, he stabbed a man to death in a Seattle cafe following a concert performance. He was convicted in 1965 and sent to Washington State Prison in Walla Walla, where he died (officially) of a heart attack. Rumor also says he was strangled. He is buried in Warren, Michigan. In 1996, Little Willie John was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2014 & 2016 respectively, John was inducted twice into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame (as a singer and songwriter). In 2016, he was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame. In 2022, John was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
Bio by: Chuck Kearns
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