Jackie "Sonny" Wilson, a notable individual, was born in the bustling metropolis of Detroit, Michigan, and spent his formative years in the adjacent city of Highland Park, where he was raised as the sole male offspring of Jack and Eliza Mae Wilson, who hailed from Columbus, Mississippi. His father, plagued by the affliction of alcoholism, consistently struggled with unemployment, leaving Jackie to navigate the challenges of growing up without a stable patriarchal presence. Conversely, his mother, who had previously endured the loss of two earlier offspring, lavished her attention on Jackie, exerting a profound and lasting influence on his life.
From a remarkably young age, he commenced his singing career, eventually forming a quartet known as The Ever Ready Gospel Singers Group, which garnered a modest level of recognition among the local churches.
However, Wilson's life was not without its challenges. He developed a habit of truancy, frequently finding himself in trouble with the authorities.
To make matters worse, he began consuming alcohol at the tender age of nine, a habit that would only continue to escalate over the years.
In 1950, at the age of 16, he made the drastic decision to drop out of high school, a choice that would likely have far-reaching consequences for his future.
He embarked on a lifelong commitment with his childhood sweetheart, Freda Hood, and their joy was amplified by the arrival of a precious daughter in March 1951. Concurrently, he was honing his vocal talents in local clubs alongside Levi Stubbs, who would later achieve widespread recognition as a member of the legendary vocal group The Four Tops.
Noteworthy is the inaugural musical endeavor of this notable individual, which debuted with the release of "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down", subsequently followed by "Rags to Riches". Fast forward to 1956, this remarkable artist experienced their first significant foray into the realm of popular music with the chart-topping single "St. Therese Of The Roses". Subsequently, in 1957, Wilson made the bold decision to venture out on their own, launching a solo career that would undoubtedly be filled with memorable milestones and achievements.
Al Green, a seasoned music publisher and manager, had taken on the responsibility of guiding the career of a young and aspiring artist, Jackie Wilson. Green's impressive roster of clients already included notable talents such as Della Reese, Johnnie Ray, and La Vern Baker. Leveraging his industry connections, Green was able to negotiate a recording contract with Brunswick Records on behalf of Wilson. But fate had other plans, as Green tragically passed away just one day before the deal was set to be officially signed, leaving Wilson's future uncertain and his manager's legacy incomplete.
Berry Gordy and Roquel "Billy" Davis, a dynamic duo, joined forces with Wilson, and together they embarked on a streak of success, churning out a plethora of chart-topping hits, including the iconic "To Be Loved", "Reet Petite", and "That Is Why", as well as the crowning jewel of his discography, the timeless classic "Lonely Teardrops".
The collaborative endeavour between Tarnpool and the artistic duo Davis/Gordy unfortunately came to an abrupt conclusion due to a discrepancy in compensation. As a result, the alliance was dissolved, leading to a significant shift in the trajectory of Gordy's career. Following this separation, Gordy leveraged his accrued royalties to establish Hitsville USA Studios, a venture that would eventually evolve into the renowned Motown Records.
The story of Davis' illustrious career is one of remarkable twists and turns, as he went on to join the esteemed Chess Records as an A&R manager, where he would not only flourish in his own right as a prolific songwriter and producer, but also leave an indelible mark on the music industry.
Meanwhile, Tarnpool, having grown increasingly confident in their own abilities, made the bold decision to part ways with the Davis/Gordy team, opting instead to entrust the production of Wilson's recordings to the capable hands of band leader Dick Jacobs. This strategic move would ultimately result in a striking convergence of R&B and pop genres, with Jacobs' skilled guidance yielding a string of crossover hits that would captivate audiences for years to come.
From 1957 to 1966, Jacobs' expertise would be instrumental in shaping the sound of Wilson's music, as he expertly navigated the intersection of R&B and pop, crafting a distinctive style that would come to define the era.
Noteworthy American singer-songwriter Wilson, whose creative endeavors during this specific era resulted in moderate commercial success, with notable hits including the melodic tunes "Night" and "Alone at Last". It was in the year 1961 that Wilson embarked on a collaborative songwriting journey with esteemed musician Alonzo Tucker, a partnership that ultimately bore fruit in the form of the chart-topping single "Baby Workout".
