An excellent pictorial tribute to Willie Jones has been just been released by Detroit author, photographer and videographer David Clement on his Dissolving Detroit Blog. You can visit it here>>.


"In 1954, at 18, Willie Jones and The Royal Jokers signed with Atlantic Records. He later had to turn down a Motown contract offered by Berry Gordy. In 1955 the group recorded You Tickle Me Baby. Willie left the group for a while, and his first solo recording was Fast Choo Choo. The mid 1950s thru the mid 1960s were the best years of his performing career. He continued to record modest tunes, and wrote the B side of Bettye LaVette’s first recording."