This week I'm pulling out Little Willie John from my dusty but loved record collection. I don't know much about him, but I did read somewhere that he died in Walla Walla Penitentiary at the tender age of 31. What a shame, he looked so darned happy on his record covers...
Anyhoo, I was riding around with my friend Marky T (talk about a record collection!) in his old Monte Carlo and this song came on---it flipped my wig! Check out those crazy drum breakdowns! I ran right out to find some Little Willie John records of my own. He has a lovely voice, and he also does smokin' versions of "Fever" and "Cottage for Sale".
---CORRECTION: Little Willie John was apparently the FIRST to record "Fever"! (see Mark's comment)
Little Willie John - I'm Shakin'
The link to listen to my song of the week will only be posted for a day. after that you gotta find it yourself.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Hey Hanner, that was no Monte Carlo, it was an El Dorado, baby! Anyway, LWJ died of a "heart attack" while serving time for murder, although it's widely believed he was in fact suffocated to death by a fellow inmate. His was the ORIGINAL recording of "Fever." The tune was written by Otis Blackwell and demo'd for King Records which is where John got it from.
How come only for a day?
Nice article. I too like "I'm Shakin" and I have heard just about every song in the LWJ collection.
LWJ was my father! I am currently working on a book project with a professional writer.
If you need an specific info. please feel free to drop me a note.
If you send me an email address I'll be sure to let you know when the book comes out!
Sincerly,
W. Kevin John
kjohn0258@gmail.com
LWJ was serving time in Washington State prision for manslaughter, not murder.
According to sources that should know, he was due to be released just weeks after his death!
What a respected artist. He inspried or was emulated by; Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Lamont Dozier, (writer, producer, singer. Part of the Famed Holland-Dozier-Holand Motown writting group) James Brown and many others ...
Post a Comment