Little Willie John became an influence of R&B at just eighteen years old. He introduced fever in 1956 which instantly became a big hit and was on the R&B chart for five weeks straight. His muscular voice and gospel style caught the attention of many artists. Elvis Presley and Peggy Lee made their own version of the song which became even more popular than the original. His legacy continued when Madonna, Christina Aguilera, and Beyonce also re-created their own versions. Beyonce is a modern-day singer and her re-creation of fever has shown how impactful Little Willie’s music has been throughout the years. It is clear to see how powerful his music is and the importance the creation of “fever” contributed to the future of R&B.
Sandra Dominguez is a junior at Rowan University majoring in Elementary Education. She enjoys listening to r&b, rap, and latin music, especially during long car rides. During her free time, she loves reading poetry and traveling. She believes poetry and music are both forms of art where expressions is beautiful.