Jan 10 1950: Frankie Baker, the Frankie in the murder ballad Frankie And Johnny, dies in an insane asylum, in Pendleton, Oregon, USA. Frankie And Johnny has been recorded in more than 250 versions.

 

 

"Frankie and Johnny"



(sometimes spelled "Frankie and Johnnie"; also known as "Frankie and Albert" or just "Frankie") is a traditional American popular song. It tells the story of a woman, Frankie, who finds that her man Johnny was "making love to" another woman  and shoots him… Actually,  the song was inspired by a murder which took place in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 15, 1899, when Frankie Baker, a 22-year-old dancer

stabbed (or shot) her 17-year-old lover Allen "Al" Britt (who became Johnnie in the story), who was having a relationship with a woman named Alice Pryor (The name became Nellie Bly in the tune). Britt died of his wounds two days later. On trial, Baker claimed that Britt had attacked her with a knife and that she acted in self-defense; she was acquitted…

The first published version was in 1904 copyrighted by Hughie Cannon who wrote "Won't you come home Bill Bailey"…In 1908 a version was published by Frank and Bert Leighton and then again in 1912 with the words that appear in the modern versions and is recorded here on Melodee roll # 1153 with no "played by" credits…

One of the earliest  recordings was by Frank Crumit in 1927…

Of the over 250 recordings of "Frankie and Johnny" which  have been made since the early 20th century, some of the singers include Jimmie Rodgers,  Lead Belly, Big Bill Broonzy , Frank Crumit, Johnny Cash , Pete Seeger , Mississippi John Hurt , Mississippi Joe Callicott, Taj Mahal , Charlie Poole, Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Gene Vincent, Van Morrison  AND MANY, MANY OTHERS...

 Here's Stevie Wonder’s Version…



Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Bunny Berigan, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, and Benny Goodman have also recorded the tune.

REST IN PEACE





FRANKIE BAKER ~

JOHNNIE DONE YOU WRONG…

TROPICAL JON: LITTLE WILLIE JOHN (Just another cat outta Detroit)

 

LITTLE WILLIE JOHN IN 1955 (Photo by Wikipedia)

TALK TO ME, TALK TO ME By Little Willie John

Born in Arkansas, one of ten children, William Edward John was four years old when he moved to Detroit so his father could pursue factory work. That was in 1941. He signed a recording contract with King Records in 1955. He was nicknamed "Little Willie" John for his short stature.

Little Willie John made the Billboard Hot 100 a total of fourteen times. A cover version of "Need Your Love So Bad" by Fleetwood Mac was also a hit in Europe. Another of his songs to be covered was “Leave My Kitten Alone (1959).

LEAVE MY KITTEN ALONE  The Beatles recorded a version in 1964, intended for their Beatles For Sale album, but it went unreleased until 1995.

Known for his short temper and propensity to abuse alcohol, Little Willie John was dropped by King Records in 1963.

 He was convicted of manslaughter and sent to Washington State Penitentiary for a fatal knifing incident following a show in Seattle. Little Willie John died in 1968 at Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla, Washington.. Despite counter claims, the official cause of death was listed in his death certificate as a heart attack.

Little Willie John was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

The following is an example of a “GOOD DAY” in Little Willie John’s talented, yet ill-fated life:

AUGUST 19, 1956 – Little Willie John hits #5 on the R&B chart with “Need Your Love So Bad” 

AUGUST 19, 1956  – Little Willie John hits #6 on the R&B chart with “Home At Last” 

AUGUST 19, 1956 – Little Willie John hits #1 on the R&B chart #24 on the pop chart with (8/18) “Fever” 

AUGUST 19, 1956 – Little Willie John hits #10 on the R&B chart with "Letter From My Darling"