Jackie Wilson

Lifespan:: June 9, 1934 - January 21, 1984, he died aged 49 and was American.
Birthname:: Jack Leroy Wilson, Jr..
Snapshot:: An Artist with 64 releases, a member of 1 group, and credited twice on others' music. 3 collaborations.

Jack Leroy "Jackie" Wilson, Jr. (June 9, 1934 - January 21, 1984) was an American singer and performer. Known as "Mr. Excitement", Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was known as a master showman, and as one of the most dynamic singer and performers in R&B and rock history. Gaining fame in his early years as a member of the R&B vocal group The Dominoes, he went solo in 1957 and recorded over 50 hit singles that spanned R&B, pop, soul, doo-wop and easy listening. During a 1975 benefit concert, he collapsed on-stage from a heart attack and subsequently fell into a coma that persisted for nearly nine years until his death in 1984. By this time, he had become one of the most influential artists of his generation.

A two-time Grammy Hall of Fame Inductee,Jackie Wilson was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Jackie Wilson #68 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

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