Little Willie John

Little Willie John (actually William Edgar John; * November 15, 1937 in Cullendale, Arkansas, † May 26 1968 in Walla Walla, Washington ) was a rhythm & blues singer who was popular in the 1950s and the Sold by vielgecoverten classic Fever brought out.

Career

Little Willie John went with the Paul Williams Orchestra from 1954 on tour, but has not been involved in recordings. In June 1955, he was discovered by the producer Henry Glover for King Records, where he received immediately a record deal and was already on 27 June 1955 at the recording studio. With the hastily summoned studio band of the record company, which consisted of "Champion" Jack Dupree, Calvin Shields, Ivan roll, Mickey Baker and Willis Jackson, started from 20.00 clock the studio recordings to Titus Turner's composition All around the World / Do not Leave Me Dear. The single with the only 18 -year-old Little Willie John climbed the # 5 of the R & B charts. As it turned out, it was not a one - hit wonder, for his second single with the often gecoverten, jointly composed with his brother MERTIS John classics Need Your Love So Bad (again with renowned session guitarist Mikey Baker) also managed fifth place. Even the B-side Home At last was independently listed at # 6.

Fever

On March 1, 1956 memorable for Little Willie John and his label King Records recording session was then scheduled. With Fever, a 12- bar blues in a minor key, instrumented with the tenor saxophones of Ray Fields and Rufus " Nose" Gore and the jazzy guitar by Bill Jennings and snap of the fingers, which only marginally fanned the bluesy mood arose. The recording took nearly six hours to perfection. The Composer Otis Blackwell noted in this regard that Little Willie John the piece initially refused to accept because he did not like the snap of the fingers. However, the song had a solid, gospel similarly acting arrangement that was rewarded after its release in April 1956 with the single # 1 R & B for the artist Little Willie John and a crossover yet reached the # 24 pop. Later, the original also managed million-selling status. Fever was promoted by the jazzy version of Peggy Lee for most covered R & B song of all time.

More singles and descent

This was followed by 40 more singles for King Records until 1964, 13 of which came in the R & B charts. Almost all were produced by Henry Glover. Increasing alcoholism of the singer and decreasing plate sales prompted the record label to fire Little Willie John in September 1963. Regardless of singles have been posted by him from the archives.

Shortly afterwards, the press reported in August 1964 on Little Willie John's imprisonment because he had attacked a man at the Black & Tan Club in Seattle with a broken bottle. Released sooner, he attacked on October 17, 1964 a drunk man with a knife. When the trial began in January 1965, the criminal charges of murder was reduced to manslaughter. The jury found guilty, he was taken to the infamous Walla Walla State Prison Washington State after the expiry of the appeal on July 6, 1966 where he had to play a 20- year prison sentence. He already died on 26 May 1968 of a heart attack, caused by pneumonia.

His sister Mable John had in July 1966 a small hit with Your Good Thing ( Is About To End ) (# 6 R & B / # 95 Pop ). On December 19, 1968 Label - mate James Brown released the album of memories Thinking About Little Willie John and a Few Nice Things.

Statistics

Little Willie John, according to the BMI composed 12 songs that Need Your Love So was best placed bath in the R & B charts. This song was with 16 versions of most gecovert for fever, where the version of the British R & B- oriented Fleetwood Mac 's most authentic and posthumously published (July 1968). Although the Beatles his " Leave My Kitten Alone" in London took on 14 August 1964 but remained under the proposed publication on the LP Beatles For Sale. Only on Anthology 1, the publication was rescheduled in 1995.

On January 17, 1996 Little Willie John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Discography, Singles

(in brackets: Date of recording )

  • All Around the World / Do not Leave Me Dear (27 June 1955), King 4818
  • Are You Ever Coming Back / I'm Stickin ' With You Baby ( 1956), King 4893
  • Fever / Letter From My Darling ( March 1, 1956 ), King 4935
  • Do Something For Me / My Nerves (June 28, 1956), King 4960
  • I've been around / Suffering With The Blues (21 September 1956), King 4989
  • Will The Sun Shine Tomorrow / A Little Bit Of Loving ( December 1956), King 5003
  • Love, Life And Money / You Got To Get Up Early In The Morning ( February 1957 ), King 5023
  • I've Got To Go Cry / Look What You've Done To Me (May 1957), King 5045
  • Young Girl / If I Thought You Needed Me ( August 1957 ), King 5066
  • Uh Uh Baby / Summer Date ( October 1957 ), King 5083
  • Person To Person / Until You Do (13 June 1957), King 5091
  • Talk To Me, Talk To Me / Spasms (4 January 1958), King 5108
  • Let's Rock While The Rockin 's Good You're A Sweetheart (11 August 1958), King 5142
  • Tell It Like It Is / Do not Be Ashamed To Call My Name ( October 1958 ), King 5147
  • All My Love Belongs To You / Why Do not You Haul Off And Love Me ( December 1958 ), King 5154
  • No Regrets / I'll Carry Your Love Wherever I Go ( February 1959 ), King 5170
  • Made For Me / Do More In Life ( April 1959 ), King 5179
  • Leave My Kitten Alone (3 June 1959) / Let Nobody Love You (July 1959), King 5219
  • Let Them Talk / Right There (3 June 1959), King 5274
  • Loving Care / My Love Is ( February 1960 ), King 5318
  • I'm Shakin '/ Cottage For Sale ( April 1960 ), King 5342
  • Heartbreak (It's Hurtin ' Me) / Do You Love Me (May 1960), King 5356
  • Sleep / There's A Difference ( August 1960 ), King 5394
  • Walk Slow (8 July 1960) / You Hurt Me (25 October 1960), King 5428
  • Leave My Kitten Alone / I'll Never Go Back On My Word ( January 1961 ), King 5452
  • I'm Sorry / The Very Thought Of You ( March 1961 ), King 5458
  • ( I've Got ) Spring Fever / Flamingo (May 1961), King 5503
  • Take My Love ( Iwant To Give It All To You ) / Now You Know (July 1961), King 5516
  • Need Your Love So Bad / Drive Me Home (1961 ), King 5539
  • There Is Someone In This World For Me / Autumn Leaves ( December 1961 ), King 5577
  • Doll Face / Big Blue Diamonds (6 June 1962), King 5681
  • My Baby 's In Love With Another Guy / Come On Sugar (6 June 1962), King 5744
  • She Thinks I Still Care / Come Back To Me (6 June 1962), King 5667
  • Doll Face / Big Blue Diamonds ( October 1962 ), King 5681
  • Without A Friend / Half A Love ( December 1962 ), King 5694
  • Do not Play With Love / Heaven All Around Me ( February 1963 ), King 5717
  • My Baby 's In Love With Another Guy / Come On Sugar ( April 1963 ), King 5744
  • Let Them Talk / Talk To Me (1963 ), King 5799
  • So Lovely / Inside Information (1963 ), King 5818
  • Person To Person / I'm Shakin ' (1963 ), King 5823
  • Bill Bailey / My Love Will Never Change (1964 ), King 5850
  • Skirt Love / It Only Hurts For A Little While (1964 ), King 5870
  • Do Something For Me / Do not You Know I'm In Love (1964 ), King 5949
  • Talk To Me / Take My Love (1965 ), King 6003
  • Fever / Let Them Talk (1968), King 6170
  • All Around The World / Need Your Love So Bad (1970), King 6302
Washington (state) Fever (1956 song) King Records (United States) Willis Jackson (saxophonist) One-Hit-Wonder George Goldner Integrated Authority File
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