ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ส.ค. 2024
- Chancellor of Soul, Mike Boone presents a two part edition of 'Soul Facts' a show
highlighting the history of legendary artists and their music. In this part 1 edition, we
feature an artist who was coined 'the prince of blues' but was the true pioneer of soul
music of the 1960's.
The incomparable Little Willie John
William Edward John was born on November 15, 1937 in Cullendale, Arkansas. His
parents Mertis and Lillie John and 7 children, migrated from the segregated south to
the north of Detroit, Mich in 1941, when Willie was 4 years of age. Willie's love of music
started when his family formed a gospel group called , United Five in 1943.
He participated in talent shows and night clubs and was discovered by bandleader / songwriter, Johnny Otis who scored a hit later in 1958 called, 'Willie And Hand Jive'
on Capitol Records, saw Willie perform at the Paradise Theater and tried to secure
a record deal for John but was turned down because of his age.
LIttle Willie John continued to participate in various talent shows in the Motor City.
By then he was being managed by a gentleman named by Harry Bulk, who believed
in John's talent and arrranged for his first recording session at United Sound Studios in Detroit, for two holiday songs, 'Mommy, What Happened To Our Christmas Tree ?'
and 'Jingle Bells' on a local imprint called, Prize. It sold over 5,000 copies.
In 1954, bandleader Paul Williams ask Willie's parents permission to go on the road
with. Williams gain famed for his1 instrumental hit of 1949 entitled, The Hucklebuck'.
Williams fired Willie John because his participation in the gambling parties that took place on the road.
In 1955, Willie John was signed to King Records (owned by Syd Nathan) after a meeting
with Hal Neely. John was placed in the hands of A&R promotion man at King Records
known for such hits as 'Drowning In My Own Tears' recorded by Ray Charles and a
revived version of 'California Sun' by The Riveras in 1963. Willie John racked up 17
charted hits during his tenture at King Records, including one masterpiece recording
composed by John Davenport aka Otis Blackwell and singer / songwriter Eddie Cooley
named 'Fever'. Willie didn't like 'Fever' because of the finger snapping but was persisted to record the song by Henry Glover.
Jazz singer Peggy Lee, copied the song with lyrical changes months later and sold 5 million copies. Afterwards, many major artists began releasing their copy versions of 'Fever' where it gained popularity all around the world and over the years. Lee
might have sold millions of records with the song but the definitive masterpiece version
belongs to the one and only, Little Willie John.
Little Willie John succeeded in his dreams to become a great recording artist.
But troubles and tumoil would take place during the height of his success.
(End of Part 1)
I am a distant cousin to Willie's wife Darlene/Darlynne Bonner, her father is my uncle Willie Bonner. Loving his voice and music since age of 11. I was brokenhearted when he passed!
Never will forget his powerful voice, yet soft and gentle and soothing. Evelyn Bonner Smith!
Thanks for paying homage to this great singer.
He voice blows me away what a talent he was. RIP Little Willie John 🌹🙏
Thanks for this. I was fortunate enough to see Willie John at the Apollo in ‘66. Great singer, great voice!
Little Willie John was my grandmother's nephew and my mom's first cousin. His dad was from Washington Parish Louisiana. I didn't know until I was about 20 yrs old when my mom told me. Willie John and his dad came to Hattiesburg Ms when my grandmother passed in February 1963. News spreader that he was coming, the church was full and many could not get into the church. I was almost two weeks old at that time. I wish I could've met him.
This is Real Love; Clean Songs, when Men Pulled Their Pants Up. People Of That Era, Dressed Up And The World Saw Them Shine And These Songs,That Still Move And Touch Hearts Today. Blacks And Whites Had It Going On. Hallelujah!
Wow.!!!! He has an amazing voice. Wish he could have gotten the recognition he so deserved.
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Thanks Soul Facts , My father worked for King and was upset over how he was treated . my father was there during the ups and downs with Lil Willie John . He would stay in our home in Memphis and my dad and mom treated him like family .. He was definitely a King and will never be forgotten . Great documentary !
Brad Dunn thank your family for looking after him its appreciated one love
Chance B, I've just now discovered your wonderful Chancellor of Soul presentations, which are VERY well done. As a stone, long-time blues lover (since I was 10 years old), I can't wait to view all of them. Thank you very much.
Talk to Me is my all time favorite Little Willie John song.
He was just remarkable with that voice rest up little Willie John in that song talk to me it reminds me of Sam Cooke I appreciated all his song wow mind blowing n skin shivering n heart thumping just awesome he was
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Fantastic! Thank you for assembling this. Willy John was ahead of his time!
Willie John influenced much blues and early rock also.
A very well done look at an almost forgotten genius. Thanks and cheers from sunny Austria, Scott
The world IS watching Mike Boone aka Chancellor of Soul aka Chance B!!!
I love Talk to Me. My song right there.
congratulations to Mike Boone...excellent job in telling the Little Willie John story.
Outstanding job, brother. From an old R&B, Blues and Jazz community radio program host ... what you do is top notch and greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much Omari!
Fantastic! Thank you!
Was looking into the song Fever and discovered Little Willie John …. Now I can’t get enough! Thank you - this is so informative and well done!
Agreed! Now lets hope that the UNSUNG folks see this ... and do a LWJ show
His body of work proves that he's deserving!
Seventeen charts hits
One of the most influential vocalist of his era
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee
FIRST Artist to Record "FEVER"
. . . EVERYONE knows the song ... but NOT the ARTIST
This is what UNSUNG IS!!!
Great job... I heard James Brown mention Little Willie John in his Montreaux '81 concert.. had no idea who he was. Now I do. Thank you..
My favorite series on the tube! Thanks so much.
Rick Stafford Wow ! Thanks so much Rick.
Greatest singer who ever lived.
thank you Mr Boone great job.
I’m surprised you didn’t mention Harry Balk, the well known music promoter in Detroit in the 50’s. Balk used to also manage a couple of theaters where he held talent nights one or two days a week. It was he who first noticed Little Willie at one of the talent nights, signed him to a contract and secured his record deal with King Records. Balk later went on to be an executive at Motown Records.
FYI, he did mention Harry Bulk and included a film clip with Del Shannon @ 2:54.
Soulful
Wow! Love this soul facts.
LWJ was one of Marvin Gaye's biggest influences. Hear early MG and compare it with LWJ and you can tell the influence.
He influenced EVERYBODY who was around during his time.
@@monilaninetynine3811 Period.
@@timmy841212!
Little Willie John's voice sounds very, very different in his 1953 recording of, "Mommy What Happened to Our Christmas Tree?," than his 1955 recordings.
rip brother x
PS if you see some of Steve all performances you'll see Keith it was two women or three and Keith who backed up Steve you could find some of his old performances and see Keith singing backup with Steve Keith has a younger brother I think his name is Kevin
Thanks so much Jim B ! I'm glad you enjoyed it !
great job bro !
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THE NAME OF THE OF THE SONG PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUNG IS SOUL SERENADE BY KING CURTIS
Very nice video!!! Thank you :)
Little Wille John was taken on tour by Paul "Hucklebuck" Williams and his band, for one year.
I second that, great job, keep em coming!
THE NAME OF THAT SONG OR TUNE IS [SOUL SERENADE] BY KING CURTIS
Thanks MusicDude86.
It's me again brother how are you I remember Little Willie John but did you know that his son was backup singer for Stevie Wonder for years I met Steve years ago he dated my best friend she passed away some years ago but anyway Little Willie John's son his name is Keith John he was the backup singer for Stevie I think Keith retired and is no longer traveling on the road anymore
WHAT'S THE NAME OF THE SONG PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND W/ THE SAX PLAYING
soul serenade
That's King Curtis and the Kingpins, Soul Serenade.