Little Willie John

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Little Willie John (November 15, 1937 – May 26, 1968) was an American R&B singer of the 1950s and early 1960s, best known for his hits “All Around the World” (1955) and the much-covered “Fever” (1956).

He was born William Edward John in Cullendale, Arkansas, but by 1953 was in the Detroit area, where he was found by Johnny Otis playing R&B clubs. This led to a recording contract with King Records and a string of R&B hits beginning with “All Around the World” (1955, Titus Turner), and including “I’m Shakin’” by Rudy Toombs,[1] “Suffering with the Blues”, “Need Your Love So Bad”, “Sleep” (1961), and “Let Them Talk”. His biggest hit “Fever” (1956) was even more famously covered by Peggy Lee in 1958. Another song, “Talk to Me,” recorded in 1958, reached #5 in the R&B chart and #20 in the pop chart. A few years later it was a hit once again by Sunny and the Sunglows. A cover version of “I Need Your Love So Bad” by the original Fleetwood Mac group was also a big hit in Europe.

John was known for his erratic behavior due to alcoholism, as well his insecurity regarding his 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) height. Little Willie John died in 1968 at Washington State Prison in Walla Walla, Washington. He had been imprisoned for stabbing a man to death in October 1964. The official cause of death is listed as a heart attack, though some report he died of pneumonia or asphyxiation.

Little Willie John was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. He was inducted by Stevie Wonder. Wonder and Keith John, Willie’s youngest son, sang a tribute to Willie John opening the show with “FEVER”

He was the brother of singer Mable John, who recorded for Motown (early years of the Tamla label) and Stax.

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Popular tags: soul, rhythm and blues, rnb, early soul, americana  See more

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1		Fever			240
2		I'm Shakin'			80
3		Need Your Love So Bad			63
4		All Around The World			48
5		I'm Shakin			40
6		Leave my Kitten Alone			37
7		Talk to Me, Talk to Me			19
8		My Nerves			15
9		Sleep			14
9		Spasms			14
9		Person to Person			14
12		Home At Last			12
13		Let's Rock While the Rockin's Good			9
13		You Hurt Me			9
13		Suffering With the Blues			9

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