Fever: Little Willie John A Fast Life, Mysterious Death, and the Birth of Soul

The first ever authorized biography of the unjustly forgotten 'Father of Soul Music'. A notable R'n'B chart success in his day, his songs are now better known through covers, such as Peggy Lee's version ofFever. Mystery surrounds his death in prison - attributed by some to a beating by a guard. However he died - he was gone at the age of 30, stilling one of the most important voices in black music.

Susan Whitall has been writing about music since the 1970s, when she became a staff writer for Creem Magazine. After Lester Bangs left for New York in 1977, she became editor. She has been a feature and music writer at the Detroit News since 1983. Her book Women of Motown (Avon) was published in 1998. She is in regular contact with Little Willie John's family, in particular Kevin John - Little Willie John's son - and has access to family photos and archives.

Kevin John is Little Willie John's son, and granted unique access to his family's personal archives for this book.