Willie West is one of the original Soul and Blues men. He was born Millard Leon West on December 8, 1941 in Raceland, Louisiana, a stone's throw from New Orleans. He started singing at 15 when he and his cousins formed a band they called The Sharks. He was known for his high energy performances and wide vocal range. The band became very popular in the local clubs and venues. Willie wrote and recorded his first vinyl 45 in 1959 called, "Did You Have Fun" for Dorothy Lee's Rustone label. His mother had to sign the contract for him as he was just 17. The song became a regional hit and made the Billboard charts.

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