The guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson, formerly of The Band, mentioned John in the song " Somewhere Down the Crazy River", on his 1987 self-titled album. James Brown, who early in his career had opened shows for John, recorded a tribute album, Thinking About Little Willie John and a Few Nice Things. John was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, presented by Stevie Wonder. His son Keith John is a backing vocalist for Stevie Wonder. One of his sisters was Mable John, who recorded for Motown and Stax and was member of The Raelettes, the vocal quartette backing Ray Charles. January 25, 1960) his mother five brothers three sisters. February 3, 1958) and Darryl Keith John (b.
John was survived by his wife Darlynn (née Bonner), whom he married on two children, William Kevin John (b. His interment was in Detroit Memorial Park East, in Warren, Michigan. Despite counterclaims ( Rolling Stone reported that the death occurred after John had checked into the prison hospital with pneumonia), the cause of death stated on his death certificate was a heart attack. John died at Washington State Penitentiary on May 26, 1968. Due to contractual disputes and the decline of his appeal, it was not released until 2008 (as Nineteen Sixty Six).
John appealed the conviction and was released on probation while the case was reconsidered, during which time he recorded what was intended to be his comeback album. He was sent to Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. In 1965, he was convicted of manslaughter for the 1964 stabbing of Kendall Roundtree in Seattle. John was dropped by his record company, King Records, in 1963. He was arrested multiple times for charges that include narcotics, swindling, and grand larceny. John was also known for his short temper and propensity to abuse alcohol. He performed a benefit concert for the NAACP in 1964, telling Jet magazine: "As entertainers, we can no longer sit and wait for the Sammy Davis' and Harry Belafonte's to raise all of the money." John was involved in the civil rights fight against segregation. The event featured the top four prominent disc jockey of Los Angeles. was there to crown the winner of the Miss Cavalcade of Jazz beauty contest. The other headliners were Ernie Freeman and his Band, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, The Clark Kids and Bo Rhambo. held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on August 3, 1958. John performed for the famed Cavalcade of Jazz concert produced by Leon Hefflin Sr. However, the track was not released until 1995. Another of his songs to be covered was " Leave My Kitten Alone" (1959), recorded by The Beatles in 1964 and intended for their Beatles for Sale album.
A cover version of "Need Your Love So Bad" by Fleetwood Mac was also a hit in Europe. In all, John made the Billboard Hot 100 a total of fourteen times. On December 23, 1959, John also recorded "I'm Shakin'", by Rudy Toombs, "Suffering with the Blues", and " Sleep" (1960, Pop number 13). A few years later it was a hit once again in a cover version by Sunny & the Sunglows. Another song, " Talk to Me, Talk to Me", recorded in 1958, reached number 5 on the R&B chart and number 20 on the Pop chart. A famous cover version was recorded by Peggy Lee in 1958. One of his biggest hits, " Fever" (1956) (Pop number 24, R&B number 1), sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc. He followed up with a string of R&B hits, including the original version of " Need Your Love So Bad", co-written with his elder brother Mertis John Jr. John's first recording, a version of Titus Turner's " All Around the World", was a hit, reaching number 5 on the Billboard R&B chart. He was nicknamed "Little Willie" for his short stature. After seeing him sing with the Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams orchestra, Glover signed him to a recording contract with King Records in 1955. Willie also performed in talent shows, which brought him to the notice of Johnny Otis and, later, the musician and producer Henry Glover. In the late 1940s, the eldest children, including Willie, formed a gospel singing group. His family moved to Detroit, Michigan, when he was four, so that his father could find factory work. Many sources erroneously give his middle name as Edgar. He was one of ten children born to Lillie (née Robinson) and Mertis John. John was born in Cullendale, Arkansas on November 15, 1937.