Artist:Jackie WilsonSong:Lonely Teardrops
Album:The Very Best Of Jackie Wilson
Along with Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson was one of the most important figures in the transition from R & B to soul. He was a fabulous singer and an energetic crowd pleasing performer. He was born June 9, 1934 in Detroit. He was on juvenile detention at age 15 when he took up boxing and won the Detroit Golden Gloves at age 16. He got married and became a father at age 17 and gave up boxing for music. He formed a group with his cousin Levi Stubbs (The Four Tops), was discovered by Johnny Otis and joined The Thrillers who would become The Royals. Wilson's big break came when he replaced Clyde McPhatter in Billy Ward & The Dominoes in 1953. As the group's popularity declined, Wilson signed with Brunswick Records in 1957. He formed a partnership with songwriter Berry Gordy Jr. and their first song together Reet Petite was an R & B hit. But Lonely Teardrops was Wilson's first really big hit in 1958. It was #1 on the R & B charts and reached #7 on the pop charts. Jackie Wilson was now a star. Wilson split with Gordy in a royalty dispute in 1958. Of course Gordy went on to found Motown Records. Wilson went on to have more hits in the early 60s. He was also shot by a girlfriend in 1961. He had a lull in the mid-60s but returned to the top ten with the 1966 hit Higher And Higher. Wilson continued his success though it became clear by the early 70s that Brunswick was having financial problems. This Rhino comp will satisfy most fans. Jackie Wilson suffered a massive heart attack while on stage in Cherry Hill, NJ on Sept. 29, 1975. A blow to the head when he fell left him comatose until his death on Jan. 21, 1984 at age 49. Here's Jackie Wilson performing Lonely Teardrops on The Ed Sullivan Show 1962.
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