Crying Over You LITTLE WILLIE JOHN Video Steven Bogarat

John was also known for his short temper and propensity to abuse alcohol. He was arrested multiple times for charges that include narcotics, swindling, and grand larceny.[16][17][18] John was dropped by his record company, King Records, in 1963.[8] In 1965, he was convicted of manslaughter for the 1964 stabbing of Kendall Roundtree in Seattle.[19] He was sent to Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla.[4] John appealed the conviction and was released on probation while the case was reconsidered, during which time he recorded what was intended to be his comeback album.[20] Due to contractual disputes and the decline of his appeal, it was not released until 2008 (as Nineteen Sixty Six).[21] John died at Washington State Penitentiary on May 26, 1968. Despite counterclaims,[22] the cause of death stated on his death certificate was a heart attack.[7] His interment was in Detroit Memorial Park East, in Warren, Michigan. John was survived by his wife Darlynn (née Bonner), whom he married on May 25, 1957; two children, William Kevin John (b. February 3, 1958) and Darryl Keith John (b. January 25, 1960); his mother; five brothers; three sisters.[4] One of his sisters was Mable John, who recorded for Motown and Stax and was member of The Raelettes, the vocal quartette backing Ray Charles. His son Keith John is a backing vocalist for Stevie Wonder.[13]

Added 1 May 2026