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Jackie Wilson

Jack Leroy Wilson Jr. (June 9, 1934 – January 21, 1984) was an American singer who was a prominent figure in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. Nicknamed "Mr. Excitement", he was considered a master showman and one of the most dynamic singers and performers in soul, R&B, and rock and roll history.

Born in the Detroit enclave of Highland Park, Michigan, Wilson initially gained fame as a member of the R&B vocal group Billy Ward and His Dominoes. He went solo in 1957 and scored over 50 chart singles spanning the genres of R&B, rock 'n' roll, soul, doo-wop and easy listening. This included 16 Top 10 R&B hits, six of which ranked as number ones. On the Billboard Hot 100, Wilson scored 14 top 20 pop hits, six of which reached the top 10. In 1975, Wilson suffered a heart attack during a performance, which left him in a minimally conscious state until his death in 1984.

Wilson was posthumously inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He is also inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Two of Wilson's recordings were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. He was honored with the Legacy Tribute Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 2003. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Wilson No. 69 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and placed him on their list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time (2023). NPR named Wilson one of the 50 Great Voices.

Birth and Death Data: Born June 9, 1934 (Detroit (city in and county seat of Wayne County, and largest city in State of Michigan, United States)), Died January 21, 1984 (Mount Holly (township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States; county seat of Burlington County, New Jersey) )

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1956 - 1970

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 326-350 of 350 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca L 9169 4/18/1956 Rock, Plymouth rock The Dominoes ; Billy Ward vocalist  
Decca L 9170 4/18/1956 'Til Kingdom come The Dominoes ; Billy Ward vocalist  
Decca L 9171 4/18/1956 St. Therese of the roses-1 The Dominoes ; Billy Ward vocalist  
Decca L 9172 4/18/1956 Evermore The Dominoes ; Billy Ward vocalist  
Decca L 9173 4/18/1956 Home is where you hang your heart The Dominoes ; Billy Ward vocalist  
Decca L 9778 1/2/1957 I don't stand a ghost of a chance with you The Dominoes ; Billy Ward vocalist  
Decca L 9779 1/2/1957 To each his own The Dominoes ; Billy Ward vocalist  
Decca L 9780 1/2/1957 Oh, lady be good The Dominoes ; Billy Ward vocalist  
Decca L 9781 1/2/1957 When the Saints go marchin' in The Dominoes ; Billy Ward vocalist  
Decca L 9782 1/2/1957 St. Louis blues The Dominoes ; Billy Ward vocalist  
Decca L 9783 1/2/1957 Am I blue? The Dominoes ; Billy Ward vocalist  
Decca L 9784 1/2/1957 When Irish eyes are smiling The Dominoes ; Billy Ward vocalist  
Decca L 9785 1/2/1957 September song The Dominoes ; Billy Ward vocalist  
Decca L 14785 1/4/1968 I was made to love her (the way I love you) Count Basie vocalist  
Decca L 14786 1/3/1968 Respect Count Basie vocalist  
Decca L 14787 1/4/1968 I never loved a woman (The way I love you) Count Basie vocalist  
Decca L 14788 1/3/1968 Chain gang Count Basie vocalist  
Decca L 14789 1/3/1968 Uptight (Everything's alright) Count Basie vocalist  
Decca L 14790 1/3/1968 Ode to Billy Joe Count Basie vocalist  
Decca L 14791 1/3/1968 My girl Count Basie vocalist  
Decca L 14792 1/3/1968 For your precious love Count Basie vocalist  
Decca L 14793 1/3/1968 (I can't get no) Satisfaction Count Basie vocalist  
Decca L 14794 1/4/1968 In the midnight hour Count Basie vocalist  
Decca L 14795 1/4/1968 Funky Broadway Count Basie vocalist  
Decca L 14796 1/4/1968 Even when you cry Count Basie vocalist  
(Results 326-350 of 350 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Wilson, Jackie," accessed January 6, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/351191.

Wilson, Jackie. (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/351191.

"Wilson, Jackie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 6 January 2026.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/351191

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