Willie also performed in talent shows, which brought him to the notice of Johnny Otis and, later, the musician and producer Henry Glover.

On December 23, 1959,[12] John also recorded "I'm Shakin'", by Rudy Toombs,[13] "Suffering with the Blues", "My Love Is," and "Sleep" (1960, Pop number 13).

John performed for the famed Cavalcade of Jazz concert produced by Leon Hefflin Sr. held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on August 3, 1958.

The other headliners were Ernie Freeman and his Band, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, The Clark Kids and Bo Rhambo.

He performed a benefit concert for the NAACP in 1964, telling Jet magazine: "As entertainers, we can no longer sit and wait for the Sammy Davis' and Harry Belafonte's to raise all of the money.

[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.

[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.

[24] The guitarist and songwriter Robbie Robertson, formerly of The Band, mentioned John in the song "Somewhere Down the Crazy River", on his 1987 self-titled album.

[25] Little Willie John was posthumously inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2014 as a singer and in 2016 as a songwriter.

[5] His induction citation noted "... John was a sharply attired and exciting showstopper, recalled by fellow singers as mischievous, fun-loving, and generous".