Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson was a dynamic American soul and R&B singer known for his powerful tenor voice and electrifying stage performances during the 1950s and 1960s. Born Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. on June 9, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan, he rose from a challenging youth marked by poverty, early drinking, gang involvement, and juvenile detention to become a pioneering performer who bridged rhythm and blues with pop music.
Wilson grew up in a working-class Detroit neighborhood as the only surviving child of Jack and Eliza Mae Wilson, with his father struggling with alcoholism and unemployment. He dropped out of high school at 15, faced two stints in juvenile detention, took up boxing—winning a Golden Gloves welterweight title—and became a father at 17 after marrying his pregnant girlfriend, Freda Hood. His mother influenced his turn to music, as he sang in church with the Ever Ready Gospel Singers and performed in local Detroit clubs by his late teens.
In the early 1950s, Wilson sang with Hank Ballard and the Midnighters before joining Billy Ward and the Dominoes in 1953, replacing Clyde McPhatter as lead tenor. He contributed to their 1956 pop hit "St. Therese of the Roses" and honed his showmanship skills. Launching solo in 1957 with Brunswick Records under manager Nat Tarnopol, he scored early hits like "Reet Petite" (co-written by Berry Gordy Jr. and Roquel Davis), "To Be Loved," and his first No. 1, "Lonely Teardrops" in 1958.
Wilson's career exploded with dynamic singles blending doo-wop, rock, blues, and soul, including "That's Why," "I'll Be Satisfied," "Night" (1960), "Baby Workout" (1963 Top Five hit), and "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" (1967 No. 6 pop). Renowned for acrobatic flips, splits, and a four-octave range, he influenced James Brown and Michael Jackson, appeared on shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and Dick Clark's American Bandstand, and starred in the 1959 film Rock All Night. Despite racial barriers, constant touring built his legend as a top showman through the 1960s and early 1970s.
Wilson battled substance abuse, multiple failed marriages, family tragedies—including the shooting death of his son—and financial woes from poor management. These issues, compounded by a fading hit streak post-1967, led to reliance on live performances for income.
On September 29, 1975, Wilson collapsed onstage in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, from a heart attack, entering a coma that lasted nearly nine years until his death on January 21, 1984, at age 49. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, his innovative style and energy remain influential in soul and rock.
So Much
Written-By – D. Burton, Jackie Wilson, J. Keyes, J. Dias, R. Dicks
A2 I Know I'll Always Be In Love With You
Written-By – Barbara Campbell
A3 Happiness
Written-By – Kenny Jacobson, Rhoda Roberts
A4 Only You, Only Me
Written-By – Benny Davis, Ted Murry
A5 The Magic Of Love
Written-By – Ben Raleigh, Don Wolf
A6 Wishing Well
Written-By – Jackie Wilson
B1 Talk That Talk
Written-By – Sidney J. Wyche
B2 Ask
Written-By – D. Serino, F. Tishman, W. Rowland
B3 I'll Be Satisfied
Written-By – Berry Gordy, Tyran Carlo
B4 It's All Part Of Love
Written-By – Benny Davis, Ted Murry
B5 Never Go Away
Written-By – Ben Raleigh, Don Wolf
B6 Thrill Of Love
Written-By – Berry Gordy, Tyran Carlo
Label: Brunswick – BL 54050
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1959
Genre: R&B Soul, Rock
Style: Rhythm & Blues, Soul
Jackie Wilson's So Much (1959) is noted as a consistent, exuberant R&B record showcasing his powerful voice, blending energetic tracks like "Happiness" with soulful ballads, though some listeners find it less groundbreaking than his singles, with critics pointing to its "bombastic" production and lighter pop leanings compared to his harder R&B roots, making it a good showcase of his range but perhaps not his absolute peak, especially on reissues with bonus tracks.
The album highlights Wilson's incredible vocal talent, from gritty growls to smooth crooning, proving his versatility.
It leans into the popular sound of the era, drawing from Ray Charles's style but infused with Wilson's youthful energy, featuring both danceable numbers and sentimental ballads.
Some critics find the arrangements, while fitting for pop, overly "bombastic," while others appreciate the dynamic energy, especially on tracks like "I've Lost You".
Key Tracks: "Happiness," "Doggin' Around," "I Know I'll Always Be in Love with You," and bonus tracks like "Years from Now" are often highlighted.
While it's a strong display of his talent, some reviews suggest it's not his most essential work, especially compared to later hits or his grittier early records, though it's praised as a joyful collection of his style.
So Much offers a great look at Jackie Wilson's captivating voice and ability to deliver both energetic pop-soul and heartfelt ballads, making it a solid, enjoyable listen for fans, even if it sacrifices some of the raw R&B edge for broader appeal.
Soul Galore
A2 3 Days 1 Hour 30 Minutes (Alonzo Tucker, Edgar Campbell, Jackie Wilson 2:)
A3 I've Got To Get Back (Alonzo Tucker, Johnny Roberts, Nat Tarnopol 2:59)
A4 So You Say You Wanna Dance (Eddie Singleton, Jackie Wilson 2:23)
A5 Stop Lying (Russ Vincent 2:13)
A6 Let Me Build (G. Carroll, H. Walquer 2:45)
B1 Brand New Thing - Part 2 (Alonzo Tucker, Eddie O'Jay, Jackie Wilson, Johnny Michaels 2:40)
B2 Soul Galore (Eugene Hamilton 2:47)
B3 What's Done In The Dark (Will One Day Come To Light) (Alonzo Tucker, Eddie Singleton 3:00)
B4 I Got My Mind Made Up (Alonzo Tucker, Jackie Wilson 2:02)
B5 Everything's Gonna Be Fine (Alonzo Tucker, Jackie Wilson 2:36)
B6 Your Loss, My Gain (Eddie Singleton 2:40)
Label: Brunswick – BL 54120
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1966
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Sixties Soul
Jackie Wilson's 1966 album Soul Galore is a highly regarded collection of "Big City Soul" and classic Northern Soul tracks, praised by users and critics alike for its high energy and the artist's dynamic vocal performance. It is considered an essential listen within the Northern Soul genre.
The album is consistently described as a collection of up-tempo songs that are perfect for dancing, a key characteristic of Northern Soul music. One user noted that it "gives you a lift and makes you want to dance".
Critics and music descriptions refer to the tracks as "Big City Soul masterpieces" featuring classic "mod dancers". Reviewers acknowledge that while Wilson's ballads might showcase his technical range more fully, the raw, funky cuts on Soul Galore allow him to "belt it out" with immense energy, highlighting his one-of-a-kind ability.
The album (particularly reissues with bonus tracks) is valued for including rare and lesser-known LP tracks and single B-sides alongside well-known favorites, making it appealing to serious collectors and casual fans. Remastered versions of the album are praised for their superb sound quality.
Overall, Soul Galore is an energetic, highly-rated album that is a favorite among Northern Soul and R&B enthusiasts. It captures a specific, dynamic phase of Jackie Wilson's career and is celebrated for its consistently good tracks and dance appeal.