By phillysoulman (152.163.197.212 - 152.163.197.212) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 08:16 pm:

For some reason, except for a few mentions, Jackie Wilson's name does not come up too much. As we all know, he was indirectly responsible for the seeds of what later became Motown.
I often wonder what it would sounded like if Jackie had in fact , been a Motown artist.
Early on, it could have been akin to the Eddie Holland records, I am sure and HDH would have certainly been his main producers and writers.Could you imagine Higher and Higher actually being recorded in the snakepit??
In late 1974, at The Latin Casino in New Jersey, on a show with Blue Magic, I had the pleasure of finally meeting Jackie. Less than a year later on the stage of that very venue, is where he had the heart attack that felled him.
Such a great man was he.

By Ralph Terrana (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 08:28 pm:

Bobby,
I agree. I think Jackie kind of set the stage for all that was coming down the road.I love to watch old footage of him. An amazing talent.

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.40.173 - 62.31.40.173) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 08:36 pm:

We do not see enough footage of him. I remember the first time I heard 'The Who Who Song' - a great record. How many sessions in Chicago did The Funk Brothers do? And seeing him and Blue Magic together would have been swell.

By Bob Olhsson (68.53.120.100 - 68.53.120.100) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 08:48 pm:

At least to me, Jackie Wilson was THE ORIGINAL Motown artist!

BG got ripped off first by Brunswick and later by another label around Marv Johnson. Smokey offered to help him start a label so it couldn't happen again.

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 08:55 pm:

Jackie was a giant Anybody that can sing "Danny
Boy" and move me has to touched with something special.

I think a lot of the problem is that he recorded
such a wide variety of music that it's not at
all possible to pigeonhole him - for every "Higher
and Higher" there's some quasi-operatic thing like "Night". You can admire his amazing vocal
skill but it ain't danceable - as a result less
talented singers who stuck to one particular style more easily come to mind.

It's a real shame that he recorded relatively little from 1965 up to his, jeez what woulkd you call it, collapsing into a coma. Would he
have better off on a label other than Brunswick ?
- indisputably. But we all know that leaving the label wasn't exactly an option.

I'm not sure how widely available they are in the
States but the Demon label over here has been doing great work in releasing Jackie's work on
CD - they've issue nearly all his albums except
for the ones that you can live without, like the
Al Jolson tribute album.

Have you ever heard "No More Goodbyes", a New
York recorded track from 1973 ? A really lovely
ballad - no histrionics , just exceptionally
good soul.

And as far stage presence - the man was in a class of his own

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 09:54 pm:

here's jackie's former home on lasalle.

on the canopy above the bedroom windows are the letters (only removed last year and after pic was taken):-

jWf

which stands for jackie/wilson/freda

freda being one of his wives.

jackie is a legend

a good webisode is lined up for later...
this pic courtesy greg norris

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 10:02 pm:

My artistically rendered tribute to Mr Dynamite:

By detroit gal (208.232.121.87 - 208.232.121.87) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 10:12 pm:

Well since the Funk Brothers played on Higher and Higher, it virtually was a Motown release, eh?

By Ritchie Hardin (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 - 10:21 pm:

I've just got to mention, "Nothing But Blue Skies" - a favourite of mine for three decades. It always sounded to me like a great Motown-record-that-never-was. That brass is just out of this world, and Jackie - untouchable.

I have to confess, the "operatic" material did little for me, and I've often wondered how things might have panned out if he'd ever become a Motown artist. Perhaps Mr Tarnopol (sp?) had too much control?

Mind games, maybe - but why not?

By cl (204.38.7.35 - 204.38.7.35) on Wednesday, February 20, 2002 - 12:07 am:

If I were asked what it would take to sell my soul I have the answer right here: To be Jackie Wilson circa 1965 doing a matinee at the Apollo and an evening performance for the "hipsters" at the copacabana.........that would be heavenly!!!

By ErikT.O. (64.228.108.130 - 64.228.108.130) on Friday, February 22, 2002 - 08:13 am:

The only version of 'Light My Fire' I can still stand to hear...

By Gary R (12.234.95.0 - 12.234.95.0) on Saturday, March 02, 2002 - 08:04 pm:

Rhino Records has a "Shindig" video consisting of Jackie's performances on that '60s TV show. It gives a flavor of his incredible stage presence and charisma, not to mention his phenomenal vocal prowess.

I remember hearing once that James Brown would not play a show where he had to follow Jackie Wilson. In his biography Brown says some negative things about Wilson ("not really soulful", etc.). Sounds like a little professional jealousy!

By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4 - 209.100.86.4) on Sunday, March 03, 2002 - 05:53 am:

Hello All,
Here in Chicago,Il, a play "The Jackie Wilson Story" has been running every weekend for 2 years.
It's a musical with 2 or 3 new songs & about 10 to 12 Jackie Wilson hits. The guy that plays JW is great! He has a good voice(His voice isn't as rich
as Jackie's though) and all of the moves. It's a must see.

By Marilyn (67.217.183.153 - 67.217.183.153) on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 05:37 pm:

Hi all-
Jackie was one of my best friends,& I miss him every day. What a happy person. Nat Tarnapole was always a weasel,just a creep!
I have to say I was very upset at Tony Douglas' book. It protrayed Jackie as a very good performer,but someone who had "baby fits" all the time. He talked to the wrong people. He also said he was a bad father,who ignored his kids. I can remember him carrying Jackie Jr. around on his shoulders when he was only 3 ,to all the shows,etc. The last time I saw them,they were together at the Flame Show Bar,just before Jackie

By Eva (205.153.36.170 - 205.153.36.170) on Tuesday, March 12, 2002 - 06:45 pm:

Hi all!

To me, Jackie Wilson is one of the greatest entertainers who ever lived! As a child, he was one of my heroes. I remember the first time I saw him sing "Danny Boy" on TV, complete with the falling down on his knee. I was no more good! After that, Danny Boy became my favorite song, and I sang it for the first time at 6 years of age - just like he did!! I would fall down on both my knees though because I didn't know any better. (hahaha!) It amazed everybody, because I was so young. Needless to say, I made a lot of money performing that song to my family and their friends in those days. But that was then and this is now. I couldn't sing that song in that fashion, for all the money in the world now!!! (LOL!) but for sure -Jackie Wilson will live in my heart forever!

Eva

By phillysoulman (64.12.97.11 - 64.12.97.11) on Tuesday, March 12, 2002 - 07:04 pm:

I did have the pleasure of meeting Jackie Wilson in late 1974 at The Latin Casino in Cherry Hill N.J.,where he was on a double bill with my act, Blue Magic. He was very cordial and we spoke at length about the classic records that he made.
It was at that very venue in 1975 when Jackie collapsed on stage and thus ending his musical legacy.

Eli

By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4 - 209.100.86.4) on Tuesday, March 12, 2002 - 10:25 pm:

Another Jackie Wilson Story - Although I am too young to have seen Jackie perform (31 yr), a former boss of mine in Chicago told me about the time that Jackie was booked at a club in Chicago for a week in the mid to late 60's(it could have been at one of the hotels downtown), & that my boss, John M. went to EVERY single performance that week. He must have been great to see live.

By Sue Donim (205.188.198.178 - 205.188.198.178) on Wednesday, March 13, 2002 - 07:20 pm:

I keep learning so many new and exciting bits of info on this site, and one of them is that I was not aware of the fact that Jackie Wilson, one of my all time favorite singers was a Detroit native.
I was saddened to learn of his untimely demise and the fact that he was virtually forgotten by his health care workers.
He didn't have health insurance and his hospitalization was paid for via donations from people who cared!! Long live his musical legacy.

Sue

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.107.27.25 - 213.107.27.25) on Wednesday, March 13, 2002 - 07:33 pm:

welcome to the forum sue.

jackie's story is tragic.

By Ade (193.129.220.205 - 193.129.220.205) on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 - 11:04 am:

I once heard a rumour that Elvis had paid for some of Jackies medical care? Can anyone substantiate this? Seems a bit of a wild story but you never know!
Also, does anyone have a link to somewhere I can get that great early picture of jackie doing a backdrop?

Off to listen to "I'm the one to do it" again!

By Carl Dixon London (80.194.94.69 - 80.194.94.69) on Tuesday, March 19, 2002 - 12:57 pm:

Ade - where have you been? Did you go to the second all nighter in London or not. We could not make it! If any one's to do it, you're the one to do it, Ade!

By Ade (193.129.220.205 - 193.129.220.205) on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 - 11:45 am:

Carl

Thanks mate. I didn't manage the second, nor will I make it to the third (other commitments, sadly).
I'll definitely be down again though (I'll be checking that Mr Levine has got in touch with Gwen Owens!)

David, fancy dusting off your dancing shoes for Staurday night at the woodside?

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Tuesday, March 26, 2002 - 07:49 pm:

hi ade
tony douglas's book on jackie says :-

"elvis first saw jackie perform in vegas in 1956 when he was lead singer of the dominoes. elvis was in awe of the man and later became his friend.

when jackie was hospitalised elvis was concerned and offered financial assistance.

it is unknown however if this ever came to fruition."

ade
sorry i've missed the last couple of nights. was the woodside any good?

By Ade (193.129.220.205 - 193.129.220.205) on Wednesday, March 27, 2002 - 03:45 am:

David

Thanks for the info....I also missed the woodside (but heard that it was another good night). We'll have to get together again soon though. (Grosvenor at Edinburgh was another great night).

By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4 - 209.100.86.4) on Wednesday, March 27, 2002 - 06:51 pm:

Elvis & Jackie Story
On the CD of The Million Dollar Quartet(Elvis,Carl Perkins,Jerry Lee Lewis, & Johnny Cash jamming at Sun Studios), you can hear Elvis talk about his first tour of Las Vegas & how
he went to see Billy Ward & the Dominos on 4 nights straight. He was amazed at the voice of the lead singer(Jackie Wilson) when he covered Don't Be Cruel. On the CD, Elvis then sings in the style of Jackie doing an Elvis song & also tries to act out his footwork(to the applause
of those gathered in the recording studio).
From the audio evidence, you can really tell that Elvis thought Jackie Wilson was great!
-Steve Litos

By davidtenorio (205.172.132.12 - 205.172.132.12) on Thursday, May 23, 2002 - 05:30 pm:

Hello all: I was born in Chicago and raised in Detroit and have great memories of the 50's and 60's era there. I was privileged to meet Jackie Wilson a few times on television shows (Mickey Shorr's Dance Party) and Detroit Bandstand, not to mention at some of the record hops he performed around Detroit. One of the most dynamic, personable and energetic people I have ever me in my life time. Still can't forget his version of "Dogging Me Around", one of his best. His ending was not particularly, but his grave seems to be well tended. Ironically Jackie is buried in a graveyard not more than five minutes from my mother's house in Westland, Michigan, and I have visited it a few times during trips back to Detroit. A sad ending to a great performer.

By Nish (205.188.200.54 - 205.188.200.54) on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 01:32 am:

I love Jackie Wilson, but some of the arrangements that were done in his early "pop-idol" phase were much too syrupy and sappy for such a soulful singer. Like the backing voices on "Lonely Teardrops." I love the song, but it can stand to have different background singers. And I think Mr. Wilson was hindered by the virtual slave contract under which he operated at Brunswick.

He was DYNAMITE!

NISH

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 02:42 am:

Nish,
I have to disagree with you pal. Lonely Teardrops is pure perfection, background and all.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 06:53 am:

Ralph

I'm on your side too. I've always considered Lonely Teardrops as a "prehistoric Motown record" - bvos and all. It was a product of its time, but certainly no less listenable today because of it.

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.108.38 - 68.41.108.38) on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 04:11 pm:

Random Thought's: In the late 50's & early sixties,all the people that owned the clubs & the people that were old enough to spend money in them hated early rock &soul music.Even the musicians that were older thought it sucked.This is why people like Jackie wilson & Sam Cook &many singing groups after thefirst hit or two,would sound like Mitch Miller was the A&R man.You had to sound more (white-ish) to play Lasvegas or the copa in N.Y.In 61 the Hurricane,s played a charity gig for the toledo musicians union.All the big bands &jazz groups from toledo were there.It was in the best hotel in town.All the bands played in the big ball-room,but when we asked where to set up at,they told us to set up in the hall-way before you enter the ball-room(this was when we were one of the biggest instumental groups in America).The older musicians were even so arrogent to say for us to play when ever we wanted to(figuring no one would give a rats ass about us).We got them good though.When we started playing the whole ball-room emptied out into the hall-way to hear us&all the people that were dancing to the big band inside started to boogie on down.That was a wake-up call to those older musicians.So this is what Jackie&the rest of us went through all the time.I'm positive that when Jackie sang in Black clubs you would have seen a much different singer.Slainte Va Lynn

By brianday@cwcom.net (212.137.216.205 - 212.137.216.205) on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 05:56 pm:

one mega artist is jackie ,micheal jackson paid his medical bills and one of my faves by him is "the girl turned me on " not a hit then ,but i still play it still now and believe it or not, i see teenagers eyes light up on first play and then they want to know who it is.

By Gary Rosen (12.234.95.0 - 12.234.95.0) on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 08:14 pm:

Lynn,

That is a good description of the situation at the time and explains a lot about why great soul singers such as Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke often ended up doing more pop material.

In Jackie's case perhaps he didn't mind so much. His voice was a phenomenal instrument and I suspect he enjoyed showing off his operatic "chops" on songs like To Be Loved, Night, Danny Boy, etc. You've still got to wonder, though, how much better his recorded output would have been if he had recorded with a more sympathetic company like Motown.

By John Lester (213.122.203.14 - 213.122.203.14) on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 09:21 pm:

Are you aware of that dramatic souful version of "Lonely Teardrops" cut in about 1965...it was issued on the flip of "I Believe I'll Live On" (UK Coral 72482 - release date 5 November 1965)

I bought it at the time cos I bought most things that had Berry Gordy's name on it...and expected the 1958 version.

When I played it, I was gobsmacked.....I thought I had gone to heaven and back three times....I just listened with my mouth wide open. A version of a great song that had one of the biggest impacts EVER on me.

By thecount (63.212.149.34 - 63.212.149.34) on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 11:18 pm:

Jackie was the greatest,his soulful voice and to me he was the savior of DOO_WOP,keeping it alive as it is now,He was MR.Excitement..And if you ever seen him perform,you would see and here why he earned the title "MR.Excitement".We The Invictas,then became The 5ive Invictas(1964)went to see Jackie live at the Boardwalk.It was on Telegraph between Joy and West Chigago.What a huge crowd,mixed crowd,great atmosphere and dancing.He was a fantastic entertainer and showman.We played all the local record hops when we first started in 1960,mostly Clarke Ried's WJBK.Our first manager was Chuck Mistille,the son of Mistille Coal and Oil co.He was going to collage at Western MI. and managing us part time.One of many knights doing the Thunderbowl record hop,Richard (Duke)Mitchell the host of the Thunderbowl record hop asked if we would like him as a full time manager.When we found out he was tight with the owner of the Thunderbowl,Joe@June} Shretnar).and Duke was also the concelman for Lincoln Park MI.,we accepted.Well,later about 3weeks later we were asked to go see Jackie Wilson with our manager and Clarke Reid.I wasn't 21 yet,but now we find out our manager DUKE,fought Golden Gloves with Jackie.So we were invited by Jackie Wilson to be his Guests.I and the whole band was flatered,and when I said,DAM,he is so good looking,the guys in the band said,when we're done here we're taking you to HASTINGS STREET.But Jacki was everything and a very good looking man.Watching Jackie perform that nite is where I learned to do the Inkster shuffle and other kool dance steps. LONG LIVE JACKIE WILSON.(HEY YOU,comeout a here on the floor,lets rock somemore) Steve"The Count"

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Saturday, May 25, 2002 - 10:23 am:

Thanks for the memories of the great Jackie Wilson, Steve.

By Carms (213.1.131.192 - 213.1.131.192) on Wednesday, May 29, 2002 - 09:28 pm:

Amazed at the info on this site

Could spend hours reading. Question "Don't feel sorry for me" what label was it issued on ? a great sound that commands a lot of money over here.

Last saw it for 250.00 pounds

Wonder how some of these artists would react if they knew how much us UK collectors pay for these sounds today.

Thanks
Carms

By John Lester (213.122.198.54 - 213.122.198.54) on Wednesday, May 29, 2002 - 10:10 pm:

On a US label....Miracle 1...coupled with Heart...by Jimmy Ruffin.

It appears on a recent Kent CD The Birth of Soul Volume 3. A fab Cd even if I say so myself!!

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Wednesday, May 29, 2002 - 10:42 pm:

Hi Carms

I can tell you they react with mixed feelings.

Some of them are struggling.

By JMil (66.73.15.204 - 66.73.15.204) on Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 02:23 am:

Carm, I am with you, I am truly amazed. I have learned more in the last couple of hours reading posts, than I have living my entire life in Detroit.

By Carms (213.1.132.116 - 213.1.132.116) on Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 07:40 am:

Thanks for the info John , must check out the CD
cause I love early stuff when its raw it gets to me

It's hard to imagine these artist are struggling
when they contributed so much. I just hope they take comfort that as far as we're concerened in UK they will never be forgotten.

I saw Tommy Hunt in Ibiza two weeks ago at the soul a go go do , he was amazing , and looked like he enjoyed performing so much.


The stuff the younger generation hear today is
trash in my view , repetative lyrics that mean nothing.

It must have been a wonderful time to have lived
and been among such talented writers and artists.

In the words of Freddie Gorman "take me back"

Carms
x

By Marilyn (67.217.183.114 - 67.217.183.114) on Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 03:22 pm:

I saw Jackie perform MANY times in black clubs as well as white. He always sang all his hits,both soul & pretty ones. By the way,I happen to have a long tape of ALL Jackie's TV performances. Contact me if anyone is interested.
Marilyn

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 04:28 pm:

I would certainly be interested.

Unfortunately we can't play US videos on UK machines.

Do you have the capability to transform them?

By Carms (213.122.204.254 - 213.122.204.254) on Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 08:52 pm:

I would love to see this Marilyn , the only Jackie Wilson footage I have seen is reetpetite where he does that amazing one foot shuffle with the shiniest of shoes My video will play american
video's NTC format . BRi tells me most british videos are compatible now david ...whats yours?

Carms
x

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 09:04 pm:

Hi Carms

I have a sanyo videoplus, probably 4 years old.

I bought a cheap one recently which I have yet to try out.

I will try it at the weekend.

The tape I have which I can't play is the Temptations Story which i picked up at The Motown Museum 2 years ago.

By Carms (213.122.204.254 - 213.122.204.254) on Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 09:22 pm:

David

What your looking for is NTSC compatible in the video instruction booklet , if you have this you should get a result.

BTW enjoyed the northern soul tour very much , my hubby was a wheel lad , Braisenose street .

Do you know he missed seeing Otis Redding by having a few too many down the pub before , and
met a locked door at the wheel he sat outside
and heard him sing though

Carms
x

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 09:37 pm:

Thanks for that snippet Carms.

It's amazing that Otis played the old Wheel isn't it. Manchester was the place to be.

BTW since you're reasonably knew here, Bobby Eli, whom you'll hear a lot from on the forum, played the other Wheel on Whitworth Street with The Vibrations.

Glad you're using the icons. They put some more colour in an already colourful forum!

David

By Keith Herschell (213.122.1.234 - 213.122.1.234) on Wednesday, June 05, 2002 - 01:07 pm:

I have only just discovered this site, and here I am two hours later still reading these great postings. What really motivated me to contribute was the Jackie Wilson topics. THE MAN WAS GOD. I saw him in London in 1972, playing to an tiny audience in a massive venue, with a four piece backing, and he still tore the place up. I then saw him at the 100 club (which is small) in london in 75. The place was packed and he was dynamite. One thing that sticks in my mind; he was doing a sort of bluesy jam, and during his solo the tenor player hit a long drawn out note. JW hit the same note and the saxman stopped playing and you couldn't have told where one ended and the other started (does that make sense?) I ain't a musician but I believe they call that perfect pitch.
I have always wondered why he didn't end up on Motown, especially during the lean mid-sixties period, prior to the Chicago connection, bearing in mind his associations with Berry Gordy. I suspect that Gordy knew he could never have manipulated him as he did the other Motown acts.
None of the other artists that Motown signed that had prior hits on other labels (Marv Johnson, Gladys Knight and the Isleys - have I missed any out?) had been as successful as JW.
The image I get after reading the book 'Lonely teardrops' is of a man with an ego the size of Texas.
My favourite JW track is a lesser known one from around 64 called 'I just can't help it', that is a sort of Gospel styled tear-up. Does anyone know who the other voice doing a bass line is ? Incidentally, on the Elvis theme, I believe he had also said he would have given anything to sing like Clyde McPhatter

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.109.7 - 213.122.109.7) on Wednesday, June 05, 2002 - 01:12 pm:

Welcome to the forum Keith.

You are one lucky guy to have seen JW twice.

Stay tuned.

By eli (64.12.101.159 - 64.12.101.159) on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 04:28 pm:

Happy Birthday Jackie, tomorrow, June 9th on your 68th Birthday. You are numero uno in my book of all time greats!!

By Ade (193.129.220.205 - 193.129.220.205) on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 11:45 pm:

David

(its been a while!!!)

My video is NTSC compatible, so we could arrange something to allow you to get your tape copied (easy to do and legal(!!) since you're the owner of the tape)

Give us a shout if you're interested. I'd love to get a copy of the Jackie Wilson Tape too. I'll never get tired of watching him!

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.120.181 - 213.122.120.181) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 07:37 am:

Hi Ade nice to see you back on the forum.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.19 - 195.219.7.19) on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 07:56 am:

I HAD THE PLEASURE TO SEE JACKIE WILSON LIVE AT WIGAN CASINO AROUNND 1975.WHAT AN EXCELLENT ARTIST.APART FROM THE NORTHERN TRACKS HE DID,ONE OF MY FAVOURITES IS A CORAL (1961)LP TRACK I HAD, CALLED LONELY LIFE,ABSOLUTLEY SUPERB.I ONLY RECENTLY MANAGED TO FINALLY GET A UK DEMO OF THE WHO WHO SONG.AS WITH ALL HE DID,SECOND TO NONE,THANKS JACKIE,NEVER,EVER TO BE FORGOTTEN.MEL(ANDTHENSOME)

By biggray1 (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 08:40 am:

Hi everyone, i have to add a few words to this thread,I have read somewhere that Berry got JW to record some Demo's for his new buisiness ventures! is there any info on these recordings!!where was studios they was recorded at etc,anyone help!! I to saw JW at Wigan Casino back in 75,man what a act!!,that building rocked that night,JW didnt come on till the early hours if memory serves me right,he was dressed in an all black leather suit,dancin and shakin man what an artist!!cant remember all the songs he did that night but eh i was there i saw him!!!! one word describes that wonderful night,Jackie i am privilaged. Biggray.
Can anyone remember seeing the collection that took place for JW!! the bucket was took around many a venue over here in the Uk,i hope this money helped in some way. The money was sent to Jackie via Blues&Soul Magazine me thinks!! Biggray

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.31 - 195.219.7.31) on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 11:36 am:

BIGGRAY,REGARDS THAT NIGHT AT THE CASINO,RIGHT-ON BROTHER.MEL(ANDTHENSOME)

By diamond8 (65.129.152.192 - 65.129.152.192) on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 03:00 pm:

Hi Y'all,I'm new to the site but loving it too much!! Had to add a tidbit about Jackie: I grew up in Detroit and went to Eastern High with two of his cousins. We used to go by his home in Highland Park & I have treasured memories of watching him rehearsing his dynamic moves in his living room BEFORE he got famous. Jackie will always rank among those at the top of my list of the most incredibly talented performers ever to grace a stage...and what a personality! Another gifted local singer who seldom gets mentioned, but was a great performer is the late Walter Jackson, whom I last saw perform at the Chit Chat Club on Twelfth Street. (Anybody remember him?)Walter's renditions of "Feelings" and "Welcome Home" still make me cry. Phil Upchurch was one of the artists who backed him up on the album "Feeling Good." Sadly, he passed away in the 70s, I believe.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.61 - 195.219.7.61) on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 04:49 pm:

DIAMOND8,WALTER JACKSON,YET ANOTHER TRULY MAGNIFICENT SINGER,ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVOURITES(THERE ARE SO MANY),TRACKS BY WALTER ON OKEH(UK COLUMBIA)AS ALL HIS MATERIAL,SUPERB.MENTION OF PHIL UPCHURCH,I HAVE A COPY OF YOU CANT SIT DOWN ON UK UNITED ARTISTS.SAY NO MORE,OUTASIGHT.MEL(ANDTHENSOME)

By acooolcat (61.222.95.58 - 61.222.95.58) on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 04:11 am:

Although Walter Jackson recorded in Chicago, he lived in Detroit, certainly in the 1960s. His voice is/was sooooo special... "That's What Mama Say" is one of my personal favorites. And his "It's An Uphill Climb To The Botom" is another Okeh gem.
Graham

By biggray1 (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 08:45 am:

Yep such a sad loss,the artists in the above discussions was and still are today icons in the world of music,up and comming todays artists look towards these long gone heroes for inspiration,
method and application. What goes around comes around!! soul and R&b music will allways be envogue! Biggray.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.76 - 195.219.7.76) on Sunday, July 28, 2002 - 04:49 pm:

REGARDS WALTER JACKSON,WHAT ABOUT AFTER YOU,THERE CAN BE NOTHING ON OKEH.A SUPERB SIDE,THAT JUST OOZES OUT SOUL,ALTHOUGH UPHILL CLIMB TO THE BOTTOM IS A PERSONAL FAVOURITE.MEL(ANDTHENSOME)

By r (165.235.75.119 - 165.235.75.119) on Tuesday, July 30, 2002 - 10:07 pm:

Just wanted to add that, in addition to the "Shindig" video dedicated to Jackie, I know he's on at least one of the "Ed Sullivan" videos and I'm not sure about this but I also think I saw him on one of the "Hullaballo" or ""Music Scene" videos. What an exciting performer, with a voice to match!

By Michael (209.244.167.146 - 209.244.167.146) on Wednesday, July 31, 2002 - 05:22 pm:

A few bits to add here.

The far better version of Lonely Teardrops that's mentioned as a Coral b-side here is also on the Pledging my love lp. Was once told the story of how this version is the way it was originally written, ie as a ballad, late late at night in the studio they came up with the idea to speed it up, recorded it and liked it so much they phoned Berry Gordy, who was the writer, up at home, waking him up in the process, and played the version down the line to him. He hated it so much he practically burst into tears: "You've ruined my song!". If that really happened am sure he changed his mind with the royalty check.

Here's another track that have not seen mentioned here, and that's probably because it's so unknown: only issued in France (in a stunning PS) as a 45, it's the theme tune to a Kirk Douglas movie "A lovely way to die". Talk about a stormer, this song has destroyed the dancefloor every time I've played it out, closest track to it I can think of is Yvonne Baker's "You didn't say a word", Jackie's voice on it is amazing even by his standards, the lyrics are all about his baby loving him literally to death and what a way to go, brilliant, all the copies I've ever come across other than mine are owned by French or Spanish mod dj's. Won mine in an auction and turned out the bidder I beat out was none other than Joyce Moore, now wife of Sam Moore (ie Sam & Dave) but also the wonderful woman who nursed Jackie for years when Nat Tarnopol was holding back his medical money until her funds ran out, some of the stories she told me about her time with him were amazing. But back to the French 45, have mentioned it a few times to English collectors and the vast majority have never even heard of it let alone heard it, really recommend you seek this out if you can.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Wednesday, July 31, 2002 - 05:48 pm:

Interesting stuff Michael.

Thanks
David

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.56 - 195.219.7.56) on Wednesday, July 31, 2002 - 06:11 pm:

DAVID,DID YOU SCRAP MY LAST PIECE ON JACKIE WILSON.MEL

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.6 - 62.252.128.6) on Wednesday, July 31, 2002 - 06:34 pm:

No. Did you see it on the screen?

Unless Ralph deleted it? Post again please.

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, July 31, 2002 - 07:14 pm:

No David. I didn't delete anything on Jackie Wilson. I did delete a posting last night from someone who was just advertising some new Detroit band and some gig they had coming up.

By MEL&THEN SOME (195.219.7.115 - 195.219.7.115) on Wednesday, July 31, 2002 - 07:39 pm:

APOLOGIES TO YOU BOTH,IVE PROBABLY HIT THE CANCEL BUTTON BY MISTAKE,SORRY FOR ANY CONFUSION.MEL(ANDTHENSOME)

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, July 31, 2002 - 08:42 pm:

No problem Mel. I've done that a few times myself.

By MEL&THENSOME (195.219.7.17 - 195.219.7.17) on Wednesday, July 31, 2002 - 08:55 pm:

CHEERS RALPH,MEL.