DESCRIPTION:
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)