BARRY LEVINE: ‘Mr. Excitement’ Wilson all-time R&B great

Today marks the 34th anniversary of the death of Jackie Wilson, one of the all-time great R&B singers and performers of the 1950s and 1960s.

On Sept. 29, 1975, while headlining a Dick Clark Oldies Concert in Cherry Hill, N.J., Wilson collapsed on stage from a massive heart attack while singing his signature hit, “Lonely Teardrops,” and subsequently slipped into a coma, slowly awakening over a period of eight months.

He remained in a semi-comatose condition until his death on Jan. 21, 1984, at the age of 49.

When you discuss the greatest solo artists of all-time, Wilson certainly earned his place among them.

A tenor with an incredible four-octave range, Wilson justifiably earned the nickname “Mr. Excitement” because of his dynamic performances. He played an important role in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was a master showman and one of the most dynamic and influential singers and performers in R&B and rock ‘n’ roll history.

I had the privilege of seeing Wilson perform in May 1961 at the Copacabana in New York, and it was one of the most amazing shows I have seen. I saw him after the show going to his dressing room, and he was totally soaked in sweat due to the effort he put forth onstage.

A native of Detroit, Wilson initially wanted to be a boxer and competed in Gold Gloves contests. Pressured by his mother, he quickly decided he’d rather hit notes with his terrific voice than opponents with a left hook.

He got his big break when Clyde McPhatter left Billy Ward & The Dominoes during the mid-1950s to form The Drifters. After being schooled by McPhatter on the nuances of performing with Billy Ward’s group, Wilson joined them in 1953.

He remained with the group until beginning a solo career in 1957.

Wilson’s first single, “Reet Petite,” which was written by Motown Records founded Berry Gordy Jr., was a modest success, climbing to No. 62. Berry co-authored six more of Wilson’s singles: “To Be Loved,” “I’m Wanderin’,” “We Have Love,” “That’s Why,” “I’ll Be Satisfied,” and his 1958 signature song, “Lonely Teardrops,” which peaked at No. 7 on the pop charts. “Lonely Teardrops” reached No. 1 on the R&B charts and established Wilson as a superstar known for his extraordinary, operatic vocal range. “Lonely Teardrops” sold more than 1 million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, Wilson had two of his hits, “Higher and Higher” and “Lonely Teardrops,” inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Both are on “Rolling Stone” magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Rock Songs of All Time.

As with most top R&B performers from the 1950s and early 1960s, their stars failed to shine as brightly after the British Invasion hit in full force in 1964. Wilson had only two Top 25 hits after 1964: “Whispers” in 1966 and “Higher and Higher” in 1967.

He became a regular on the oldies circuit and nightclub scene until the heart attack ended his career in 1975.

For those of you unfamiliar with Wilson’s work, get one of his CDs to hear one of the greatest singers in rock history.

Jackie Wilson’s

Top 25 hits

“To Be Loved,” “Lonely Teardrops” — 1958

“That’s Why,” “I’ll Be Satisfied” — 1959

“All My Love,” “A Woman, A Lover, A Friend,” “Doggin’ Around,” “Night,” “Alone At Last” — 1960

“My Empty Arms,” “Please Tell Me Why,” “I’m Comin’ on Back to You” — 1961

“Baby Workout” — 1963

“Whispers” — 1966

“Higher and Higher” — 1967

Rock ‘n’ ads

For TV watchers: Have you noticed how many ads are using old rock ‘n’ roll songs as an integral part of their promotions?

Here is a list of a few of the tunes:

“Rock Around the Clock,” the No. 1 hit by Bill Haley & His Comets is credited with being the first rock ‘n’ roll song in 1955.

“Personality” was a No. 3 hit for Lloyd Price in 1959. Price had three Top 10 hits during his career.

“Shout” by the Isley Brothers peaked at No. 47 in 1959, but it has since developed into an iconic rock song.

“Land of a Thousand Dances” by Cannibal and the Headhunters was a 1965 cover of Chris Kenner’s song that reached No. 30. The song has increased dramatically in popularity during the past three decades.

“Higher and Higher” by the incomparable Jackie Wilson topped at No. 6 in 1967 and was the final Top 10 hit of his glittering career.

“Joy to the World” was a No. 1 hit by Three Dog Night in 1971. It was the second of the group’s three No. 1 hits.

“Dream Weaver,” written and performed by Gary Wright, was a No. 1 hit in 1976. It was the first of his two Top 5 hits.

This week in rock history: On Jan. 21, 1959, The Kingston Trio, one of the foremost groups behind the folk music craze, received their first Gold record for “Tom Dooley,” a song based on the 1866 murder of Laura Foster in Wilkes County, N.C. … After 12 previous releases that failed to generate interest, Frank Sinatra’s daughter, Nancy Sinatra, entered the Hot 100 with what was her biggest hit, “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” on Jan. 22, 1966. The song went to No. 1 for one week. … North America finally caught on to Petula Clark when her hit “Downtown” made her the first British female to have a No. 1 hit in the U.S. in the rock era on Jan. 23, 1965. … The Beatles scored their first No. 1 best-seller when “I Want To Hold Your Hand” reached the top of the charts on Jan. 25, 1964. … The Four Seasons’ “Walk Like A Man” was released on Jan. 26, 1963. Five weeks later, it became their third No. 1 single. … The house band from New York’s Peppermint Lounge, Joey Dee & The Starliters had the No. 1 hit with “The Peppermint Twist” on Jan. 27, 1962.

Barry “The Old Rocker” Levine is an entertainment writer for The Albany Herald. He can be reached at [email protected].