Jackie Wilson

JACKIE WILSON
 
 
Jackie Wilson  (June 9, 1934 – January 21, 1984) was an American soul singer-songwriter and performer.  A tenor with a four octave vocal range, he was nicknamed "Mr. Excitement", and was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul.  He was considered a master showman, and one of the most dynamic and influential singers and performers in R&B and rock 'n' roll history.  On the Billboard Hot 100, he scored 14 Top 20 Pop hits, 6 of which made it into the Pop Top 10.  He was one of the most influential artists of his generation.  A two-time Grammy Hall of Fame Inductee, Wilson was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.  (More from Wikipedia)
 
 

In addition to Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson of Heartthere are a host of Wilsons who have made popular music over the years.  The Beach Boys – "America's band" according to no less than President Ronald Reagan (whose middle name is Wilson, come to think of it) – was founded in 1961 by Brian Wilson, his brothers Dennis Wilson and Carl Wilson, and their cousin Mike LoveAl Jardine was the one original bandmember not in the family.  Another Nancy Wilson is a top-notch jazz vocalist who started in the 1960's and frequently crossed over to the R&B and rock charts.  Mary Wilson was one of the founding members of the Supremes; the story of the other bandmembers being eclipsed by lead singer Diana Ross formed the main storyline for the Broadway musical Dreamgirls that later made Jennifer Hudson a star in the film version, Dreamgirls.  Then there are R&B singers Jackie Wilson and Wilson Pickett, country star Gretchen Wilson, comedian and chef Justin Wilson, and many others. 

 

(November 2013)

 

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Mikki was born Mikki Farrow in Detroit.  She met and married a legendary saxophone player named Andrew "Mike" Terry in the mid-1960's.  In his Allmusic entry, Jason Ankeny writes:  "The baritone saxophone of Andrew 'Mike' Terry remains an indelible component of the famed Motown sound. . . . Terry's résumé reads like a roll call of soul's greatest hits – his Motown track record alone spans chart smashes including the Four Tops' 'I Can't Help Myself', the Isley Brothers' 'This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)', Kim Weston's 'Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)', and Marvin Gaye's 'Baby Don't You Do It'; and as a freelancer he played on monsters like Jackie Wilson's 'Higher and Higher', the Fascinations' 'Girls Are out to Get You', and the Capitols' 'Cool Jerk'." 

 

(July 2014)

 

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Berry Gordy's first success as a songwriter was for a big hit for Detroit artist Jackie Wilson, "Lonely Teardrops".  He wasn't too happy with his earnings from that song, however, so that led to the founding of the legendary record company, Motown Records

 

(April 2015/1)

 

Last edited: March 22, 2021