Wilson Pickett was an American singer and composer who lived from March 18, 1941, until January 19, 2006.
Pickett was a key player in the evolution of soul music. He released more than 50 songs that reached the US R&B charts, many of which were later added to the Billboard Hot 100. His co-written songs “In the Midnight Hour,” “Land of 1,000 Dances,” “634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.”), “Mustang Sally,” “Funky Broadway,” “Engine No. 9,” and “Don’t Knock My Love” are among his best-known hits.
In 1991, Pickett was honored for his contributions to songwriting and music by being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Wilson Pickett siblings: Who are Wilson Pickett siblings?
Pickett, who was born in Prattville, Alabama in 1941, has ten older siblings. His early years were not cheerful. He frequently received physical abuse from his mother Lena, which caused him to repeatedly flee the house.
As a young musician, Pickett sang in the choruses of Baptist churches. He relocated to Detroit, where his father resided, when he was 14 years old.
Pickett and other musicians gave street corner performances there. Pickett founded the gospel group the Violinaires in the 1950s.
