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out of LA - Rock N Roll Heaven
" Final Resting Place of Jackie Wilson"
Jackie Wilson
9th June 1934 - 1984
Singer
Born:- Detroit.
Discovered appearing in a talent contest at the Paradise Theatre, Detroit in
1951 by Billy Ward of The Dominoes. Jackie Wilson replaced Clyde McPhatter, who
quit the Dominoes to pursue a solo career, as lead singer. He stayed with the
Dominoes until 1956 when he left for a solo career. Sang in local clubs until he
was spotted by Al Green the manager of Johnny Ray and signed for Brunswick
records. "Rett Petite" recorded in 1957 proved to be a smash hit
and made Jackie a star. His high voice gave him a very distinctive but limited style
which he changed in 1963 by injecting R & B feelings into his songs. With
the single "Baby Workout" Jackie had crossed over into R & B. The
year 1966 saw another change in Jackie, he started to record in Chicago, instead
of New York, with the result that Jackie transformed himself into a Soul artist.
By the 70's Jackie had lost his commercial impact as a recording star but was a
successful live performer. It was at one of these live performances, The Latin
Casino, Camden, New Jersey, that Jackie suffered a heart attack on 29th
September 1975. Jackie lapsed into a coma and suffered severe brain damage and
was confined to Cherry Hills Medical Center, New York until his death in 1984.
Jackie's classic hit "Reet Petite" topped the UK charts again in 1986
some 30 years after its original release.
Jackie Wilson was one of Elvis's favorite singers and Elvis used many of Jackie's
stage movements in his shows and hits like "Rett Petite" & " Higher &
Higher" have become classics.
West Lawn Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan
Hit records and chart position in brackets:-
UK:- "Reet Petite" 1957 (6) - " To Be Loved" 1958 (23) -
"All My Love" 1960 (33) -"Alone at Last" 1960 (50) -
"Higher & Higher" 1969 (11) - "I Get The Sweetest
Feeling" 1972 (9) - "Reet Petite" 1986 (1)
USA : "Lonely Teardrops" 1959 (7) - "That's Why" 1959 (!3) -
"I'll Be Satisfied" 1959 (20) - " Night" 1960 (4) -
"Doggin' Around" 1960 (15) - "You Were Made For" 19660 (12)
- "A Women, A lover, A Friend" 1960 (12) -
"All My Love" 1960 (15) - "Alone at Last" 1960 (8) -
"My Empty Arms" 1961 (9) - "Please Tell Me Why" 1961 (20) -
"I'm Comin' on Back to You" 1961 (19) - "Baby Workout"
1963 (5) - "Whispers" 1966 (11) - "Higher & Higher" 1967
(6)
"I Get the Sweetest Feeling" 1968 (35)
Albums:- "My Golden Favourite" Vol 1 & 2. 1962 -
" Baby Workout" 1964 - "Higher & Higher" 1967 -
"Greatest Hits" 1968 - "Classics" 1984 - "Reet
Petite" - "Very Best Of"
Numerous Jackie Wilson CD's have now been released