Jackie Wilson:
On September 29, 1975, While Performing At The Latin Casino In Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Jackie Wilson Suffered A Heart Attack. He Would Linger In A Brain-Dead State For The Next Nine Years He Died January 21, 1984, In Mount Holly, New Jersey. He Was 49 Years Old.
Born June, 9, 1934, In Detroit, Michigan, The R&B Legend Considered A Career In Boxing And Was A Golden Gloves Champion At The Age Of 16. With The Encouragement Of His Mother, Wilson Turned To Music After Graduating High School.
He Had His First Solo Release In 1957, With The Song, "Reet Petite," Written By Motown Founder, Barry Gordy. The Song Was An Instant Hit.
Over The Next Several Years Jackie Wilson Recorded A String Of Top 40 And R&B Hits, Including, "Talk That Talk," "I'll Be Satisifed," "Doggin Around," "Baby Work Out," "Danny Boy," "A Woman, A Lover, A Friend," " To Be Loved," "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher" And The Million-Selling, "Lonely Teardrops."
Jackie Wilson Was Known For His Wide-Range Vocal Style (Described As Almost Operetic) And His High-Energy Stage Performances, Which Earned Him The Nickname, Mr. Excitement. Wilson Influenced Performers Such As James Brown, Michael Jackson And Elvis Preseley, Who Patterned His Look After Wilson.
On September, 7, 1968, "I Get The Sweetest Feeling" Peaked At 34 On The Pop Music Charts. This Would Also Be Wilson's Last Top 40 Single, Although He Continued To Impact The R&B Charts For Several More Years.
In 1960 Jackie Wilson Was Voted Entertainer Of The Year By Cash Box Magazine And On January 21, 1987, He Was Inducted Into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
Click Here: "Lonely Teardrops" Video
"In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr.
