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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZWILSON, Jackie(b 9 June 1934, Detroit MI; d 21 January 1984) Singer, songwriter; one of the most prodigiously talented and best-loved of all pop/soul singers, with about 35 R&B hits '58-71, nearly half in the top ten; over 50 Hot 100 pop singles '57-72. He suffered a heart attack on stage at the Latin Casino in Camden NJ on 25 September 1975 and spent the rest of his life in a coma. He was discovered by Johnny Otis '51, worked solo, replaced Clyde McPhatter as lead singer in Billy Ward's Dominoes '53. After going solo again his first six hits were co-written by Berry Gordy and Tyran Carlo: the first 'Reet Petite' '57 on Brunswick was regarded as a novelty and reached only no. 67 in USA (but no. 6 in UK); despite a big-band arrangement and recording balance which now seem dated, his extraordinary high spirits and unbelievable range of vocal sounds made it irresistible, a huge hit '87 on reissue. 'Lonely Teardrops' '58 was no. 1 R&B, no. 7 pop; ninth/tenth hits were 'Night' (a throbbing, operatic performance based on 'My Heart At Thy Sweet Voice' from Saint-Saëns's Samson And Delilah) and its flip side, 'Doggin' Around' (R&B flavour). 'Alone At Last' '60 had a tune from Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. Among songs he co-wrote was the duet with Linda Hopkins 'I Found Love' '62; 'Think Twice' '66 was a duet with LaVern Baker. His unbelievable vocal virtuosity was overshadowed during the golden era of soul music; he had 29 more hits '62-72 but only seven in the top 40 (including 'Baby Workout' '63 and 'Higher And Higher' '67, both top ten). Several chart albums included live Jackie Wilson At The Copa '62, Baby Workout '63 (reached top 40 LPs with the big hit), Manufacturers Of Soul '68 with Count Basie (including hits 'For Your Precious Love', 'Chain Gang'). During his years of unconsciousness he was recognized as a great artist; said to have influenced Elvis Presley's stage act; Van Morrison claimed him for an influence and wrote 'Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)' (covered by Dexy's Midnight Runners for a no. 5 UK hit '82); the Commodores had a transatlantic no. 3 '85 with 'Nightshift', a tribute to both Wilson and Marvin Gaye; Rita Coolidge, Shakin' Stevens, many others covered Wilson's hits. Compilations incluced three-CD Mr Excitement on Rhino. |