Recommendations of the Editorial team
He was the key figure to get the transition between classic R&B and its new incarnation, the soul. Even Elvis Presley knew why Jackie Wilson was called “Mr.
The most spectacular show that I experienced myself was in the Apollo in Harlem, someday around 1960. In his snow -white suit, he came onto the stage and spread his arms as if he wanted to hug the whole audience. He sang the first grades of “Doggin ‘Around” – and the women were at his feet. Even his casual hand movements were hypnotic, and when he started dancing, you just couldn’t look away. Among the spectators were women who knew what they wanted. And they wanted Jackie Wilson.
Even in his death, Mr. Excitement found no rest
He had the talent to become one of the big ones, but then his life ended like in a cheap film noir: there was violence – once a freaky woman shot him – there were tax problems, drugs, divorce and dark wires about the mafia. During a performance in New Jersey, he had a heart attack and injured his head when falling. He was in a coma for eight years until he finally died in 1984.
I had the honor of being able to introduce Jackie Wilson into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. When I waited behind the stage to keep my laudation, three women came up to me who argued about who could come on the stage to receive the Award for Wilson. Even in his death, Mr. Excitement found no peace.