b. Wilson Pickett, 18th March 1941, Prattville, Alabama, U.S.A. d. 19th January 2006, Reston, Virginia, U.S.A.
Wilson Pickett began singing gospel music in church.
Raised in Detroit, Wilson Pickett sang in several of the city's R & B groups.
the falcons
He later joined the Falcons and sang lead on their 1962 hit 'I Found A Love', after which he launched his solo career.
He recorded for the Correctone imprint and released the singles, 'If You Need Me' and 'It's Too Late', recorded for Lloyd Price's Double L outlet.
In 1965, he linked with legendary soul producer Jerry Wexler at the legendary soul label Stax Records in Memphis.
A partnership with guitarist Steve Cropper produced the hit 'In The Midnight Hour', as well as 'Don't Fight It' (both 1965), '634-5789 (Soulsville, USA)', 'Land Of A 1,000 Dances' (written by Chris Kenner), 'Mustang Sally' (all 1966) and 'Funky Broadway' (1967).
A 1968 album, 'The Midnight Mover', contained six songs featuring Bobby Womack's involvement.
Wilson next recorded at Fame's Muscle Shoals studio, releasing a version of 'Hey Jude', with Duane Allman on guitar.
He then worked with producers Gamble And Huff, resulting in two hits, 'Engine Number 9' (1970) and 'Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You' (1971).
He also released 'Don't Knock My Love', his last Top 20 hit for Atlantic.
Wilson relocated to RCA in 1972, before returning to Muscle Shoals for 'Funky Situation' (1978), issued on his own Wicked label.
In 1974, he released 'Pickett In The Pocket' for the RCA label, followed by 'I Want You' for EMI America in 1979.
Later, he worked alongside Joe Tex, Don Covay, Ben E. King and Solomon Burke in a revamped Soul Clan.
Wilson's music also featured in the film 'The Commitments' in 1991.
Still, Pickett suffered through some tough times.
In 1991, he was arrested for allegedly yelling death threats whilst driving a car over the mayor's front lawn in Englewood, New Jersey, and less than a year later was charged with assaulting his girlfriend.
Wilson found life a struggle and had been arrested and charged with various drug offences.
He once stated 'If I wasn't in show business I don't know what I would have been a wanderer or something, you know?
Wilson Pickett died of a heart attack on Thursday the 19th of January 2006, in a Reston, Virginia, hospital, according to his management company. He was 64.
Chris Tuthill, of the management company Talent Source, said Wilson had been suffering from health problems for the past year.
Albums:
It's Too Late (Double-L 1963)
In The Midnight Hour (Atlantic 1965)
The Exciting Wilson Pickett (Atlantic 1966)
The Wicked Pickett (Atlantic 1966)
The Sound Of Wilson Pickett (Atlantic 1967)
I'm In Love (Atlantic 1968)
The Midnight Mover (Atlantic 1968)
Hey Jude (Atlantic 1969)
Right On (Atlantic 1970)
Wilson Pickett In Philadelphia (Atlantic 1970)
If You Need Me (Joy 1970)
Don't Knock My Love (Atlantic 1971)
Mr Magic Man (RCA 1973)
Miz Lena's Boy (RCA 1973)
Tonight I'm My Biggest Audience (RCA 1974)
Live In Japan (1974)
Pickett In Pocket (RCA 1974)
Join Me & Let's Be Free (RCA 1975)
Chocolate Mountain (Wicked 1976)
A Funky Situation (Wicked 1978)
I Want You (EMI America 1979)
The Right Track (EMI America 1981)
American Soul Man (Motown 1987)
