Amoeba Music

Little Willie John was an American Rhythm & Blues singer. After several hits in the 1950s and early '60s, he was imprisoned for manslaughter and died in prison at just thirty-years-old.

William Edward John (or William Edgar John according to other sources) was born on November 15th, 1937 in Cullendale, Arkansas. His father, Mertis, worked as a logger there and in north Louisiana. His mother, Lillie, played guitar and sang gospel. William was one of ten children. One of his sisters, Mable, later recorded with Ray Charles as a Raelette. His older brother Mertis John Jr., later became a songwriter. In 1942, the Johns moved to Detroit where the kids began performing as a gospel group. He later sang with the Paul... Read More

City Of Origin:

Cullendale, Arkansas, United States

Genre:

Soul, Early Soul, Oldies

Birthdate:

11/15/1937

Death date:

05/26/1968