Jackie Wilson Biography

Singer / Songwriter

After a few years fronting bands, Jackie Wilson went solo in 1957. His astonishing vocal range and exuberance on stage earned him the nickname "Mr. Excitement," and he had dozens of hit records from the late 1950s into the early 1970s, including "Lonely Teardrops," "Baby Workout" and "Higher and Higher." On 29 Septembern 1975, Wilson was performing for Dick Clark's Good Ol' Rock 'n' Roll Revue in Cherry Hill, New Jersey when suffered a heart attack, fell from the stage and hit his head. He spent the remaining eight years of his life in a coma. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Other stars of the era include Elvis Presley, Del Shannon and Roy Orbison.