Jackie Wilson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jackie Wilson
Wilson in 1961
Background information
Birth name	Jack Leroy Wilson Jr.
Also known as	Mr. Excitement
Born	(1934-06-09)June 9, 1934 Highland Park, Michigan, U.S.
Died	January 21, 1984(1984-01-21) (aged 49) Mount Holly, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres	R&B soul pop rock and roll doo-wop
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1953–1975
Labels	Dee Gee King Federal Brunswick

Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. (born June 9, 1934 – died January 21, 1984) was an American singer and performer. He was famous in the 1950s and 1960s. Jackie Wilson helped change rhythm and blues music into soul music. People called him "Mr. Excitement" because he was such a great showman. He was known as one of the most exciting singers in soul, R&B, and rock and roll history.

Wilson first became famous with the R&B group Billy Ward and His Dominoes. In 1957, he started his solo career. He had over 50 hit songs in different styles like R&B, pop, soul, and doo-wop. This included 16 songs that reached the Top 10 on the R&B charts. Six of these songs were number one hits. On the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart, he had 14 songs in the Top 20, with six reaching the Top 10.

Jackie Wilson was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 after he passed away. He is also in the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Two of his songs were put into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine named him one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. They also called him one of the greatest singers ever.

Life and Music Career

Early Life and Beginnings

Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. was born on June 9, 1934, in Highland Park, Michigan. His mother, Eliza Mae Wilson, was a talented church choir singer. Jackie often visited his family in Columbus. He was very inspired by the choir at Billups Chapel there. His parents separated when he was nine years old.

Jackie Wilson started singing when he was young. He often sang with his mother. As a teenager, he joined a group called the Ever Ready Gospel Singers. They became popular in local churches. Even though he wasn't very religious, Jackie loved singing for people.

Wilson left high school when he was 15. He learned to box and competed in Detroit at age 16. His mother made him stop boxing after a short time.

Starting His Music Career

Jackie Wilson began singing alone at Lee's Sensation Club. Then, he formed a group called the Falcons. His cousin Levi Stubbs, who later led the Four Tops, was in this group. Other cousins, Hubert Johnson and Joe Stubbs, later joined the Contours.

A talent agent named Johnny Otis discovered Wilson. Jackie then joined a group called the Thrillers. This group later became the Royals. Wilson then signed with a manager named Al Green. Green also managed other singers like LaVern Baker and Della Reese. Green owned a club in Detroit where Wilson met LaVern Baker.

Wilson recorded some songs under the name Sonny Wilson for Dizzy Gillespie's record label, Dee Gee Records. In 1953, Billy Ward hired Wilson to join his group, the Dominoes. Wilson replaced Clyde McPhatter, who had left to form the Drifters. Billy Ward gave him the stage name Jackie Wilson. McPhatter taught Wilson a lot about singing and performing. Wilson also said he was influenced by blues singer Roy Brown. He grew up listening to groups like the Mills Brothers and the Ink Spots.

Wilson was the lead singer for the Dominoes for three years. The group still performed based on their earlier hits. In 1956, the Dominoes recorded "St. Therese of the Roses" with Wilson. This gave them another brief moment of fame. In 1957, Wilson started his solo career. He left the Dominoes and began performing at Detroit's Flame Show Bar. Later, he signed with Brunswick, a record label.

Becoming a Solo Star

Wilson in 1966

Just before Jackie Wilson signed his solo contract, his manager Al Green passed away. Green's business partner, Nat Tarnopol, became Wilson's new manager. Wilson's first solo song was "Reet Petite". It was a small R&B hit at first. Many years later, it became a huge international hit.

"Reet Petite" was co-written by Berry Gordy Jr., who later started Motown Records. Gordy and his partners wrote six more songs for Wilson. These included "To Be Loved" and "Lonely Teardrops". "Lonely Teardrops" became a number one R&B hit in the U.S. It also reached No. 7 on the pop charts. This song made Wilson an R&B superstar. It showed off his amazing, powerful singing voice. "Lonely Teardrops" sold over one million copies.

Because of his exciting performances, Jackie Wilson was called "Mr. Excitement." His energetic dancing and singing inspired many artists. These included James Brown, Michael Jackson, and Elvis Presley. Elvis Presley was so impressed that he wanted to meet Wilson. They became good friends. People sometimes called Wilson "The Black Elvis." Presley reportedly said, "I guess that makes me the white Jackie Wilson." Wilson also said Elvis influenced him. He noted that many black entertainers copied Elvis's stage moves.

Wilson's live shows were very powerful and exciting. He would do knee-drops, spins, and even back-flips. He would throw his tie and jacket into the audience. He also had a fun routine where he would invite women from the audience to kiss him. He believed this made everyone feel like they had a chance with him. This would make them keep coming back to his shows and buying his records.

Wilson often appeared on TV shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand. He also appeared in the rock and roll movie Go, Johnny, Go!. In the movie, he performed his hit song "You Better Know It."

In 1958, Berry Gordy left Wilson and Brunswick Records. He had disagreements over money. Gordy then borrowed money to start his own recording studio. This became Motown Records in Detroit. Meanwhile, Wilson's manager, Nat Tarnopol, wanted Wilson to sing more than R&B and rock and roll. He had Wilson record opera-style songs and easy listening music.

Wilson continued to have hits in the 1960s. These included "Doggin' Around" and the pop ballad "Night". "Night" sold over a million copies. "Baby Workout" was another Top 10 hit. Wilson wrote this song with Alonzo Tucker. Other hits included "Alone at Last" and "My Empty Arms."

Between 1964 and 1966, Wilson's career slowed down. Brunswick Records released some songs and albums that were not very successful. However, Wilson still made great music. He recorded an album with Count Basie. He also sang duets with R&B artist LaVern Baker and gospel singer Linda Hopkins.

In 1966, Wilson had two big comeback hits. He worked with producer Carl Davis. These songs were "Whispers (Gettin' Louder)" and "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher". "Higher and Higher" was a No. 6 pop hit in 1967. It became one of his most famous songs. "I Get the Sweetest Feeling" also became very popular around the world. It was a Top 10 hit in the UK twice. Many artists like Edwin Starr and Will Young have covered this song.

To help Wilson's music career, Carl Davis had him record with musicians from Detroit. These musicians were often used by Motown Records. They were known as the Funk Brothers. They worked with Wilson because they respected him and Carl Davis.

By 1975, Jackie Wilson was one of the last big artists on Brunswick Records. He continued to have hits on the R&B charts. But he did not have many more big pop hits. His last hit song was "You Got Me Walkin'". It was released in 1972. The group the Chi-Lites sang backup vocals and played instruments on the song.

Later Years and Passing

On September 29, 1975, Jackie Wilson was performing in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He was singing "Lonely Teardrops" when he had a serious heart attack. He collapsed on stage. At first, the audience thought it was part of his act. But Dick Clark, who was hosting, realized something was wrong. Cornell Gunter helped Wilson, who was not breathing. Gunter was able to help him breathe again. Wilson was then taken to a hospital.

Doctors worked to help Wilson. But his brain did not get enough oxygen, and he fell into a coma. He got a little better in early 1976 and could take a few steps. However, he soon went back into a semi-comatose state.

Wilson's friend, singer Bobby Womack, organized a concert to raise money for him. Wilson was aware of his surroundings but could not speak. He lived in a retirement center. Elvis Presley helped pay for a lot of Wilson's medical bills. Wilson's estranged wife, Harlean Harris, became his legal guardian in 1978.

Jackie Wilson passed away on January 21, 1984, at age 49. He died from problems related to pneumonia. He was first buried in an unmarked grave. In 1987, fans raised money to buy a mausoleum for him. On June 9, 1987, which would have been his 53rd birthday, Wilson was buried in the mausoleum. His mother, Eliza Wilson, was also placed there.

Family Life

When he was 17, Wilson married Freda Hood in 1951. They had four children together. They divorced in 1965 after 14 years of marriage.

In 1967, Wilson married his second wife, model Harlean Harris. They had been dating since at least 1960 and had a son named John Dominick. Wilson and Harris separated in 1969.

Tributes and Lasting Impact

Van Morrison recorded a song called "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)" in 1972 as a tribute to Wilson.

After Wilson's death, Michael Jackson honored him at the 1984 Grammy Awards. Jackson dedicated his Album of the Year Grammy for Thriller to Wilson. He said, "Jackie Wilson was a wonderful entertainer. He's not with us anymore, but Jackie, where you are I'd like to say, I love you and thank you so much."

In 1985, the Commodores recorded "Nightshift" to remember Wilson and Marvin Gaye, who both died in 1984.

Wilson had a hit song in Europe after he passed away. "Reet Petite" became number one in the Netherlands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom in 1986. This was partly because of a new animated music video for the song. The video showed a clay model of Wilson and was popular on TV. The next year, Wilson's songs "I Get the Sweetest Feeling" and "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" also became hits in the UK.

In his 1994 book, Motown founder Berry Gordy called Wilson "The greatest singer I've ever heard. The epitome of natural greatness." He said Wilson set the standard for singers he would look for forever.

In 2010, singers Smokey Robinson and Bobby Womack spoke about Wilson on a TV special. Smokey Robinson said, "Jackie Wilson was the most dynamic singer and performer that I think I've ever seen." Bobby Womack added, "He was the real Elvis Presley, as far as I'm concerned...and Elvis took a lot from him too."

In 2010, Rolling Stone magazine listed Wilson's songs "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" and "Lonely Teardrops" among the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

In 2014, the artist Hozier released a song called "Jackie and Wilson." It was a play on Wilson's name. The song includes the lyrics, "We'll name our children Jackie and Wilson and raise them on rhythm and blues."

In 2016, a street in Detroit was renamed Jackie Wilson Lane to honor him.

Awards and Honors

• 1987: Wilson was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
• 2003: Wilson received the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Legacy Tribute Award.
• 2005: Wilson was voted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.
• 2013: Wilson was added to the R&B Music Hall of Fame.
• 2019: Wilson received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Grammy Awards

Jackie Wilson was nominated for two Grammy Awards during his career. In 1999, his songs "Higher and Higher" and "Lonely Teardrops" were added to the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Selected Music Albums

Studio Albums

• 1958: He's So Fine
• 1959: Lonely Teardrops
• 1959: So Much
• 1960: Jackie Sings the Blues
• 1960: A Woman, a Lover, a Friend
• 1961:You Ain't Heard Nothin' Yet
• 1961: By Special Request
• 1962: Body and Soul
• 1962: Jackie Wilson at the Copa
• 1963: Jackie Wilson Sings the World's Greatest Melodies
• 1963: Baby Workout
• 1963: Shake a Hand (with Linda Hopkins)
• 1964: Somethin' Else!!!
• 1965: Soul Time
• 1965: Spotlight on Jackie Wilson!
• 1966: Whispers
• 1967: Higher and Higher
• 1968: Manufacturers of Soul (with Count Basie)
• 1968: I Get the Sweetest Feeling
• 1969: Do Your Thing
• 1970: This Love is Real
• 1971: You Got Me Walkin
• 1972: It's All A Part Of love
• 1973: Beautiful Day
• 1974: Nowstalgia
• 1976: Nobody But You

Images for kids

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  Wilson in 1961

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  Wilson in 1966

See also

In Spanish: Jackie Wilson para niños