Jack Leroy Wilson Jr., an American singer, and performer of the 1950s and 1960s, was born on June 9, 1934. He was a pivotal figure in the evolution of rhythm and blues into soul music. He was known as “Mr. Excitement” because he was a master showman and one of the most dynamic singers and performers in the history of soul, R&B, and rock and roll.
Green died unexpectedly shortly before Wilson signed a solo contract with Brunswick. Nat Tarnopol, Green’s business partner, took over as Wilson’s manager (and ultimately rose to president of Brunswick). Wilson’s first single, “Reet Petite” (from his debut album He’s So Fine), became a minor R&B hit (many years later, an international smash hit). “Reet Petite” was co-written by future Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. (another former boxer from Detroit), partner Roquel “Billy” Davis (under the alias Tyran Carlo), and Gordy’s sister Gwendolyn.
The group also wrote and produced six more singles for Wilson, including “To Be Loved,” “I’m Wanderin’,” “We Have Love,” “That’s Why (I Love You So),” and “I’ll Be Satisfied.” Wilson’s signature song, “Lonely Teardrops,” which peaked at No. 1 on the R&B charts in the United States and peaked at No. 7 on the pop charts, established him as an R&B superstar known for his extraordinary, Over a million copies of Wilson’s “Lonely Teardrops” were sold, and the RIAA honored it with a gold disc.
What caused Jackie Wilson’s death?
Wilson died of pneumonia complications on January 21, 1984, at the age of 49. He was initially buried in an unmarked grave near Detroit in Westlawn Cemetery.
