Wilson Pickett

USA, 1955–2006

American soul singer (1941-2006) with a gospel-derived shouted delivery, recording at Stax and Muscle Shoals on 'In the Midnight Hour' and 'Mustang Sally'.

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

Who influenced Wilson Pickett?

• Little Richard — Pickett called Little Richard 'the architect of rock and roll' — the screaming, ecstatic energy Pickett built his own soul shouting on.
• Sam Cooke — Pickett came up through gospel-harmony groups, following the church-to-secular path Sam Cooke had pioneered from the Soul Stirrers into pop soul.

Which artists did Wilson Pickett influence?

• Bonnie Tyler — Wilson Pickett's scream-and-sweat soul was another of the youthful influences Tyler named, part of the R&B fire under her rock ballads.
• Toots and the Maytals — One of the four soul singers Toots Hibbert named as key influences.