This page contains Jackie Wilson songs, albums and video links. Music profile for Jackie Wilson with events, tracks, videos, pictures, lyrics and band information.
Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. (June 9, 1934 – January 21, 1984) was an United States|American singer. Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul music|soul. Gaining fame in his early years as a member of the R&B vocal group, The Dominoes, after going solo in 1957, he went on to record over fifty hit singles over a repertoire that included R&B, pop music|pop, soul music|soul, doo-wop and adult contemporary|easy listening before relapsing into a coma following a collapse on stage during a 1975 benefit concert. By the time of his death in 1984, he had become one of the most influential soul music|soul artists of his generation.
Biography
Early years and career
Jack Leroy Wilson, Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan, the only son of Jack, Sr. and Eliza Mae Wilson. Growing up in the Highland Park, Michigan|Highland Park area of North End, Jackie, who was also called "Sonny" by friends, grew up rough, joining a gang called the Shakers and often getting in trouble. He dropped out of high school at the age of 15, and by that time had been sentenced to juvenile detention twice. After his second trip to detention, he discovered boxing, and boxed around the Detroit area, eventually winning the Golden Gloves division in Detroit at the age of 16. After getting married and becoming a father at 17, Wilson gave up boxing for... read all