R&B singer, born 15 November 1937 in Cullendale, Arkansas, died 26 May 1968 in Walla Walla, Washington. During his short career Willie had many hits, from 1956's Fever to 1961's Take My Love his whole career and headlined at New York City's Apollo Theater alongside James Brown many times. He went to prison after stabbing a man at his own engagement party in Seattle and eventually died in Washington State Prison of pneumonia in 1968 . James Brown managed to get Willie out on parole two years before he died, but he had to go back in again after crossing the state line to Los Angeles thus violating the parole regulations. James Brown eventually recorded a tribute album to him: Thinking Of Little Willie John... And A Few Other Nice Things. Little Willie John was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1996. Brother of Mable John and Mertis John.
Brother of Mable John.
Father of Keith John.
He was convicted of manslaughter in Washington in 1966 and sent to the state prison at Walla Walla. He died there two years later under somewhat mysterious circumstances, although the official cause of death was listed as pneumonia.
