Little Willie John was one of the early R&B singers and he had a very strong influence on the soul singers that followed him in the 60s, although he never had a top ten song on the pop charts. He killed a man with a knife following an argument in Seattle and was jailed for manslaughter in May of 1966. Little Willie John died two years later in the Washington State Prison. The circumstances surrounding his death are somewhat clouded in mystery. Some say it was from a heart attack and/or pneumonia, and others say he may have been asphyxiated. Little Willie John was posthumously inducted into the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. DS, one page, 8.5 x 11, Click Corporation letterhead, September 28, 1960. John agrees to appear on an episode of American Bandstand for $55.00. Signed at the bottom by John and also signed by Dick Clark. In fine condition, with punch holes to left edge and a bit of mild toning. R&R COA.
