Jackie Wilson

USA, 1953–1984

American singer (1934-1984), billed as Mr. Excitement, whose wide range and acrobatic stage act set a standard for live soul performance.

MusicRoots documents 2 artists who influenced Jackie Wilson and 12 artists Jackie Wilson influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Jackie Wilson?

• Al Jolson — Wilson named Al Jolson his first model of total showmanship — the all-out delivery he electrified for the R&B stage.
• Clyde McPhatter — Wilson replaced McPhatter as lead of Billy Ward's Dominoes in 1953 and inherited his gospel-tenor R&B style directly.

Which artists did Jackie Wilson influence?

• Usher — Jackie Wilson is one of the earlier soul performers Usher worked back to, and his athletic showmanship is a precedent for Usher's own.
• Marvin Gaye — Jackie Wilson was Gaye's model for stage mastery and vocal virtuosity.
• The Temptations — Jackie Wilson was the model for virtuoso vocal performance and impeccable stage choreography.
• Four Tops — Jackie Wilson was Stubbs's model for dramatic vocal expressiveness.
• Van Morrison — Jackie Wilson's dynamic R&B singing was a model for Morrison's own voice — 'Jackie Wilson Said' is his direct tribute.
• Michael Jackson — Jackson studied Wilson's footwork and vocal acrobatics from childhood, directly modelling his performance style on him.
• The Isley Brothers — 'Shout' grew out of the brothers covering Jackie Wilson's 'Lonely Teardrops' live — Wilson's dynamic gospel-charged delivery was a defining influence.
• Sam & Dave — Jackie Wilson's explosive, athletic showmanship was a model for the duo's high-energy call-and-response stagecraft.
• The Jackson 5 — Jackie Wilson's athletic showmanship and soaring voice were part of the performance vocabulary Michael absorbed.
• Gladys Knight & the Pips — Jackie Wilson was among the R&B headliners the young Pips supported and modelled their showmanship on.
• Al Green — Jackie Wilson's dynamic, gospel-charged delivery was among the soul voices that shaped Green.
• Smokey Robinson — Jackie Wilson was the first singer who made young Smokey want to sing.