Music
Little Willie John
1937–1968 · singer, songwriter
Detroit-raised R&B singer who first recorded “Fever” and “Need Your Love So Bad,” and is buried at Detroit Memorial Park East in Warren.
- Born
Cullendale, Arkansas- Died
Walla Walla, Washington
aged 30- Birth name
- William Edward John
- Detroit years
- 1941–1950s
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Little Willie John was born in Arkansas and moved to Detroit at four, when his father came north for factory work. He grew up singing with his family and entering local talent shows, which brought him to the attention of bandleader Johnny Otis and then producer Henry Glover, who signed him to King Records in 1955. Still a teenager, he scored with “All Around the World” and then “Fever” (1956), a No. 1 R&B hit later made famous by Peggy Lee; “Talk to Me, Talk to Me,” “Leave My Kitten Alone” and “Sleep” followed. His sister Mable John also became a recording artist, for Motown and Stax. After King dropped him in 1963 his career faltered, and in 1965 he was convicted of manslaughter for a 1964 stabbing in Seattle. He died in Washington State Penitentiary in 1968, aged 30, and was brought home for burial at Detroit Memorial Park East in Warren. James Brown recorded a tribute album months later.
Highlights
- Signed to King Records in 1955 as a teenager
- Original “Fever” (1956), a No. 1 R&B hit
- “Need Your Love So Bad” and “Leave My Kitten Alone” covered by major rock acts
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1996 (inducted by Stevie Wonder)
- Michigan Rock and Roll Legends, 2016; Blues Hall of Fame, 2022
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Buried here · 1968–
Detroit Memorial Park East
Cemetery founded in 1925 as Michigan's first Black-owned cemetery; his grave is here, as is that of the Supremes' Florence Ballard.