Back in 1968, James Brown recorded the only album in his career that was dedicated to another artist. The album was called Thinking About Little Willie John and A Few Nice Things.
So, who was Little Willie John?
William Edward John was born November 15, 1937, and he died on May 26, 1968. He was one of the most influential R&B singers of the 50s and early 60s, helping create the sound we now know as soul.
Little Willie John, like James Brown, recorded for Cincinnati-based King Records, a house that you could say gave birth to soul. Many of soul's pioneers recorded at King, including Clyde McPhatter, Jackie Wilson, Hank Ballard & the Midnighters, The Five Royales, and Little Willie John, who made his first records there in 1955.
Little Willie John's many hits included “All Around the World,” also known as “Grits Ain’t Groceries” and “Talk to Me, Talk to Me,” and “Let Them Talk.” And the original version of “Fever,” which also became a hit for pop singer Peggy Lee. Little Willie John's short-tempered personality got him into trouble a few times. In 1964, he was convicted of manslaughter and spent most of the rest of his life at Washington State Penitentiary.
At 30 years of age, Little Willie John died in prison in 1968. James Brown's tribute album was released later that year.
Listen to the segment, above.
Recommended tracks
“All Around the World”
“Need Your Love So Bad”
“No Regrets”
“A Cottage for Sale”
“Let Them Talk”
