Wilson Pickett
I remember many years ago I was reading an interview with Wilson Pickett. I recall him saying something along the lines of “I ain’t no f**king oldie but goodie”. That always sort of stuck with me. Pickett, like label mate Aretha Franklin, took a stand more than once, demanding his pay for an appearance before taking the stage – very understandable considering the nature of the music business.
Wilson Pickett was born on March 18th, 1941 in Prattville, Alabama. His mother was a tyrant, causing Wilson to leave Alabama to live with his father in Detroit. Pickett’s first group was a gospel group called the “Violinaires” who he sang with for 4 years before joining Detroit’s “Falcons” in 1959. Prior to Wilson’s arrival the Falcons had their biggest hit, “You’re So Fine” which reached number 2 R&B and 17 Pop.
When Pickett joined the Falcons, future star Eddie Floyd was also a member as was singer-songwriter Sir Mack Rice composer of “Mustang Sally” (Pickett and Young Rascals) and “Respect Yourself” made popular by the Staple Singers.
The Wilson Pickett composition “I Found a Love” was a minor hit for the Falcons. Pickett co-wrote a song called “If You Need Me” which he sent to Jerry Wexler at Atlantic Records. To Wilson’s disappointment, Wexler handed the song to Solomon Burke who hit pay dirt taking it to number two on the R&B charts.
Pickett, though upset, didn’t give up and gave it another try this time taking another demo with him in person to Wexler. Wilson was signed to the Double L record label which was distributed by Liberty Records. After a couple of moderate successes, Wexler and Atlantic bought Pickett’s contract from Double L in 1964.
After a few non-starters, Pickett traveled down to Memphis to record in the Stax studio where he would be backed by three members of the famous Stax house band, Al Jackson, Steve Cropper and Donald Dunn sans Booker T.
The result was the explosive “In the Midnight Hour” a Pickett/Cropper composition. The song went to the top of the R&B charts and reached number 12 pop. Wilson was on his way to stardom.
From 1963 through the 1970s, Pickett was a hit-making machine, constantly landing on both the R&B and Pop charts. “In the Midnight Hour” charted 13 times by Pickett and others!
Pickett led a very productive and successful recording career but his later years, in particular, were marred by his substance abuse and volatile temper.
WILSON PICKETT ACOLADES
Grammy Nomination: Best R&B Performance 1965 “In the Midnight Hour”
Grammy Nomination: Best Male R&B Vocal Performance “Funky Broadway”
Grammy Nomination: Best Male R&B Vocal Performance “Engine #9”
Grammy Nomination: Best Male R&B Vocal Performance “In the Midnight Hour” Re-Recording 1987
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 1991
Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Award 1993
Grammy Nomination: Best Traditional R&B Performance “It’s Harder Now”
Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame 2005
National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame 2015
WILSON PICKETT TIMELINE
OCTOBER 13TH, 1965 – THE MACON TELEGRAPH
NOVEMBER 26TH, 1966 – DAYTON DAILY NEWS
MAY 6TH, 1967 – THE COLUMBUS LEDGER
SEPTEMBER 21ST, 1968 – THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE
FEBRUARY 14TH, 1969 – WIDNES WEEKLY
AUGUST 12TH, 1970 – THE MONTREAL STAR
SEPTEMBER 23RD, 1971 – THE SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER
Wilson Pickett passed away on January 19th, 2006 in Reston, Virginia from a heart attack at the young age of 64.
Wilson Pickett Selected Discography
April 1962 – “Let Me Be Your Boy”
June 1962 – “Let Me Be Your Boy”
April 1963 – Solomon Burke – “If You Need Me” #2 R&B – #37 Pop
May 1963 – “If You Need Me” – #30 R&B – #64 Pop
July 1963 – “It’s Too Late” – #7 R&B – #49 Pop
November 1963 – “I’m Down to My Last Heartbreak”
July 1964 – “I’m Down to My Last Heartbreak” – #27 R&B – #95 Pop
July 1964 – “I’m Gonna Cry” #124 Bubbling Under
June 1965 – “In the Midnight Hour” – #1 R&B – #21 Pop – #12 UK
November 1965 – “Don’t Fight It” – #4 R&B – #53 Pop – #29 UK
December 1965 – “My Heart Belongs to You” #109 Bubbling Under
December 1965 – Little Mac & the Boss Sounds – “In the Midnight Hour” #37 R&B
1966 – Title Unknown
January 1966 – “634-5789 (Soulsville U.S.A.)” #1 R&B – #13 Pop – #36 UK
May 1966 – “Ninety-Nine & A-Half (Won’t Do)” #13 R&B – #53 Pop
July 1966 – “Land of 1000 Dances” #1 R&B – #6 Pop – #28 UK
July 1966 – Hip Pocket Flexi
November 1966 – “Mustang Sally” #6 R&B – #23 Pop – #28 UK
January 1967 – The Outlaws – “Midnight Hour” #131 Bubbling Under
February 1967 – “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” #19 R&B – #29 Pop
April 1967 – “I Found a Love (Part 1)” #6 R&B – #32 Pop
April 1967 – The Wanted – “In the Midnight Hour” #118 Bubbling Under
April 1967 – The Messengers – “Midnight Hour” #116 Bubbling Under
May 1967 – You Can’t Stand Alone” #26 R&B – #70 Pop
June 1967 – “Soul Dance Number Three” #10 R&B – #55 Pop
August 1967 – “Funky Broadway” #1 R&B – #8 Pop – #43 UK
November 1967 – “Stag-O-Lee” #13 R&B – #22 Pop
December 1967 – EP – “I’m I Love”
December 1967 – “I’m in Love” #4 R&B – #45 Pop
January 1968 – EP – “The Exciting Wilson Pickett
January 1968 – EP – “I’m In Love”
February 1968 – “Jealous Love” #18 R&B – #50 Pop
February 1968 – The Mirettes – “In the Midnight Hour” #18 R&B
March 1968 – “I’ve Come a Long Way” #46 R&B – #101 Bubbling Under
April 1968 – “She’s Lookin’ Good” #7 R&B – #15 Pop
June 1968 – “I’m a Midnight Mover” #6 R&B – #24 Pop – #38 UK
September 1968 – “I Found a True Love” #11 R&B – #42 Pop
November 1968 – “A Man and a Half” #20 R&B – #42 Pop
December 1968 – “Hey Jude” #13 R&B – #23 Pop – #16 UK
March 1969 – “Mini-Skirt Minnie” #19 R&B – #50 Pop
May 1969 – “Born to Be Wild” #41 R&B – #64 Pop
July 1969 – EP – “Hey Jude”
July 1969 – “Hey Joe” #29 R&B – #59 Pop
November 1969 – “You Keep Me Hanging On” #16 R&B – #92 Pop
April 1970 – “Cole, Cooke & Redding” #11 R&B – #91 Pop
April 1970 – “Sugar, Sugar” #4 R&B – #25 Pop
May 1970 – EP – “Right On”
August 1970 – “She Said Yes” #20 R&B – #60 Pop
September 1970 – “Engine Number 9” #3 R&B – #14 Pop
January 1971 – “Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool You” – #2 R&B – #17 Pop
April 1971 – “Don’t Knock My Love Part 1” #1 R&B – #13 Pop
August 1971 – “Call My Name, I’ll Be There” #10 R&B – #52 Pop
December 1971 – “Fire and Water” #2 R&B – #24 Pop
January 1972 – “You’re on My Mind”
May 1972 – “Funk Factory” #11 R&B – #58 Pop
May 1972 – Etta James – “I Found a Love” #31 R&B – #108 Bubbling Under
November 1972 – “Mama Told Me Not to Come” #16 R&B – #99 Pop
March 1973 – “Mr. Magic Man” #16 R&B – #98 Pop
May 1973 – “International Playboy” #30 R&B – #104 Bubbling Under
August 1973 – Cross Country – “In the Midnight Hour” #6 Adult – #30 Pop
September 1973 – “Take a Closer Look at the Woman” #17 R&B – #90 Pop
November 1973 – “Soft Soul Boogie Woogie” #20 R&B – #103 Bubbling Under
July 1974 – “Take Your Pleasure Where You Find It” #68 R&B
July 1974 – Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye – “Don’t Knock My Love” #25 R&B – #46 Pop
November 1975 – “The Best Part of a Man” #26 R&B
March 1976 – “Love Will Keep Us Together” #69 R&B
November 1976 – The Trammps – “Ninety-Nine and a Half” #8 Dance – #76 R&B – #105 Bubbling Under
June 1978 – “Who Turned You On” #59 R&B
November 1978 – “Groovin'” #94 R&B
July 1979 – Samantha Sang – “In the Midnight Hour” #88 Pop
November 1979 – “I Want You” #41 R&B
March 1980 – “Live with Me” #95 R&B
November 1980 – “In the Midnight Hour” #106 Bubbling Under
February 1984 – Razzy Bailey – “In the Midnight Hour” #14 Country
July 1984 – Roger – “Midnight Hour” #34 R&B
August 1997 – “Don’t Turn Away” #74 R&B
November 1987 – “In the Midnight Hour” #62 UK
June 1988 – Elwood Blues Revue featuring Wilson Pickett – “Land of a Thousand Dances
1963 LP – “IT’S TOO LATE” – 1963
1965 LP – “Great Wilson Pickett” – 1965
SEPTMEBER 1965 – “IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR” #107
LP AUGUST 1966 – “THE EXCITING WILSON PICKETT” #21
LP DECEMBER 1966 – “THE WICKED PICKETT” #42
LP “THE SOUND OF WILSON PICKETT” #54
LP NOVEMBER 1967 – “THE BEST OF WILSON PICKETT” #35
LP JANUARY 1968 – “I’M IN LOVE” #70
LP JUNE 1968 – “THE MIDNIGHT MOVER” #91
LP JANUARY 1969 – “HEY JUDE” #97
LP FEBRUARY 1970 – “RIGHT ON” #197
LP AUGUST 1970 – “IN PHILADELPHIA” #64
LP 1971 – “DON’T KNOCK MY LOVE” #132
LP MAY 1971 – “THE BEST OF WILSON PICKETT VOL. II”
LP 1973 – “MIZ LENA’S BOY” #34 R&B
LP JANUARY 1973 – “WILSON PICKET’S GREATEST HITS”
LP 1974 – PICKETT IN THE POCKET
LP 1978 – “A FUNKY SITUATION”
LP 1979 – “I WANT YOU” #69 R&B
LP 1981 – “RIGHT TRACK”
LP 1985 – “THE BEST OF WILSON PICKETT”
LP AUGUST 1987 – AMERICAN SOUL MAN #75 R&B
LP 1999 – “IT’S HARDER NOW”
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