Jackie Wilson

American singer and performer (1934-1984)

Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. (June 9, 1934 – January 21, 1984) was an American singer and performer. He was called "Mr. Excitement". Wilson helped to change rhythm and blues into soul. He was a master showman, and a dynamic singers.[1][2] He was a member of the R&B vocal group Billy Ward and His Dominoes. On his own, beginning in 1957, he recorded over 50 hit singles. These songs included R&B, pop, soul, doo-wop and easy listening. During a 1975 benefit concert, he collapsed on-stage from a heart attack. Then he fell into a coma. The coma lasted nearly nine years until his death in 1984. By then, he had become one of the most influential artists of his generation.

Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson in 1961
Jackie Wilson in 1961
Background information
Birth nameJack Leroy Wilson, Jr.
Also known asMr. Excitement, The Black Elvis
Born(1934-06-09)June 9, 1934
Detroit, Michigan,
United States
DiedJanuary 21, 1984(1984-01-21) (aged 49)
Mount Holly, New Jersey,
United States
GenresR&B, soul, pop
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1953–75
LabelsDeeGee Records
King Records
Federal Records
Brunswick Records
WebsiteOfficial site

A two-time Grammy Hall of Fame Inductee, Jackie Wilson was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.[3] In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Jackie Wilson #68 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All TimeArchived 2012-02-29 at the Wayback Machine.[4] At the 1984 Grammy Awards Michael Jackson dedicated his Album of the Year Grammy for Thriller to Wilson. After this Tarnapol released the first Wilson album in nearly nine years.

Discography change

For a detailed listing of singles and albums, see Jackie Wilson discography.

Hit singles change

Year Title Chart positions
US Billboard Hot 100 US R&B UK Singles Chart[5]
1957 "Reet Petite" 62 - 6
"To Be Loved" 22 7 23
1958 "Lonely Teardrops" 7 1 -
1959 "That's Why (I Love You So)" 13 2 -
"I'll Be Satisfied" 20 6 -
"You Better Know It" 37 1 -
"Talk That Talk" 34 3 -
1960 "A Woman, a Lover, a Friend" 15 1 -
"Night" 4 - -
"Alone at Last" 8 - 50
"Doggin' Around" 15 1 -
"Am I the Man" - 10 -
"(You Were Made For) All My Love" - - 33
1961 "My Empty Arms" 9 - -
"The Tear of the Year" - 10 -
"I'm Comin' on Back to You" 19 9 -
1963 "Baby Workout" 5 1 -
1966 "Whispers (Gettin' Louder)" 11 5 -
1967 "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" 6 1 -
1969 "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher"
(UK re-release)
- - 11
1970 "(I Can Feel These Vibrations) This Love is For Real" - 9 -
1972 "I Get the Sweetest Feeling"
(UK re-release)
- - 9
1975 "I Get the Sweetest Feeling" /
"(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher"
(UK re-release)
- - 25
1986 "Reet Petite"
(UK re-release)
- - 1
1987 "I Get the Sweetest Feeling"
(UK re-release)
- - 3
"(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher"
(UK second re-release)
- - 15

Hit albums change

Year Title Chart positions
US Pop US R&B
1963 Baby Workout 36 *
Merry Christmas from Jackie Wilson 6 *
1966 Whispers - 15
1967 Higher and Higher - 28
1968 Manufacturers of Soul - 18

References change

  1. "Jackie Wilson (American singer)". britannica.com. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  2. Jackie Wilson at AllMusic
  3. "Jackie Wilson". rockhall.com. Retrieved 30 December 2009.
  4. "The Immortals: The First Fifty". Rolling Stone Issue 946. Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2008-06-25. Retrieved 2017-08-31.
  5. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 606. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

Other websites change