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Jackie Wilson

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Jackie Wilson was an American singer, born in 1934 in Highland Park, an enclave of Detroit. As a boy he sang in church with his mother and later in a gospel group. As a teenager he also boxed, but singing won. In 1953 he became lead singer of Billy Ward and His Dominoes, succeeding Clyde McPhatter, from whom he learned a great deal. In 1957 he began a solo career at the label Brunswick.

Music and breakthrough

His first solo single was Reet Petite (1957), written by Berry Gordy, Gwendolyn Gordy and Billy Davis. That trio then made more records for him, with Lonely Teardrops (1958) as the high point, which topped the R&B chart. With the money Gordy earned from those songs, he started his studio Hitsville USA in Detroit, the base of Motown. Wilson himself afterwards also sang operatic ballads such as Night. In 1963 he had success with Baby Workout, and in 1967 with (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher, recorded with the Motown musicians.

Influence

Wilson had a voice with a range of several octaves and was known as Mr. Excitement. On stage he did splits, spins and jumps. With that he inspired James Brown, Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley, who became friends with him. In this way he played a part in the transition from rhythm and blues to soul. In 1975 he suffered a heart attack during a performance. He never regained consciousness and died in 1984.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Lonely Teardrops (1958). Notice how Wilson shoots his voice from low to high and how the backing vocals keep spurring him on.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists