American singer and entertainer Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. (June 9, 1934 – January 21, 1984) dominated the 1950s and 1960s. He had a significant role in the evolution of rhythm and blues into soul music. He was known as “Mr. Excitement” and was regarded as one of the most energetic vocalists and performers in the history of soul, R&B, and rock and roll. He was also known as a brilliant showman.
Wilson first rose to prominence as a member of the R&B vocal group Billy Ward and His Dominoes. He went solo in 1957 and had over 50 chart singles in R&B, pop, soul, doo-wop, and easy listening. This included 16 R&B Top 10 hits, six of which were number one. Wilson had 14 top 20 pop hits on the Billboard Hot 100, six of which reached the top 10.
In 1987, Wilson received a posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Additionally, he has been admitted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. In 1999, two of Wilson’s tracks were honored by being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2003, the Rhythm and Blues Foundation presented him with the Legacy Tribute Award. Wilson was voted No. 69 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004 and No. 26 as one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.
How many years was Jackie Wilson in a coma?
Jackie Wilson, songwriter of ′′Lonely Teardrops,′′ ′′To Be Loved,′′ and ′′(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher,′′ died in 1984 at the age of 49. He’d been in a coma for nine years after suffering a heart attack and brain damage on stage. Ms. Wilson was his third child to die unexpectedly.
