Jack Leroy Wilson Jr., an American singer, and performer in the 1950s and 1960s was born on June 9, 1934, and passed away on January 21, 1984. He had a key role in transforming rhythm and blues into soul. He was known as “Mr. Excitement” and was regarded as a superb showman and one of the most dynamic vocalists and performers in the history of soul, R&B, and rock and roll.
He started out as a solo performer at Lee’s Sensation Club before forming the Falcons with his cousin Levi Stubbs, who would go on to lead the Four Tops. (Hubert Johnson and Joe, Levi’s brother, and two other Wilson cousins later joined the Contours.) Alonzo Tucker and Billy Davis, along with the other Falcons who joined Hank Ballard as the Midnighters, eventually collaborated with Wilson as a solo artist. On a few songs Wilson recorded, notably his 1963 smash “Baby Workout,” Tucker and Wilson worked as co-writers.
Wilson was chosen by the Thrillers after being sought out by talent agent Johnny Otis. They later became the Royals (who later became R&B group, the Midnighters, though Wilson was not part of the group when it changed its name and signed with King Records). Wilson agreed to work with the mentor Al Green (not to be confused with R&B singer Al Green, nor Albert “Al” Green of the now defunct National Records). Green, who also handled LaVern Baker, Little Willie John, Johnnie Ray, and Della Reese, owned the Detroit Flame Show Bar where Wilson and Baker first met as well as Pearl Music and Merrimac Music, two music licensing organizations.
Jackie Wilson’s parents: Meet Eliza Mae Wilson, Jack Wilson Sr.
Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. was born in Highland Park, Michigan, on June 9, 1934, as the third and only surviving child of singer Jack Leroy Wilson, Sr. (1903-1983) and Eliza Mae Wilson (1900–1975).
