
Feel the Vibrations with Mr. Excitement: Jackie Wilson’s Last Top Tenner Hits

A stalwart in the music genre of soul and R&B, Jack Leroy Wilson, more popularly known as Jackie Wilson, was an influential performer who made waves with his unique singing voice and thrilling dance moves. More than that, his sheer talent combined with unmatched charisma won the audience’s hearts around the world.
The soul singer’s hits were unmatched but probably one of the most notable milestones of his life was the day his song “(I Can Feel Those Vibrations) This Love Is Real” stepped into the Billboard R&B chart on December 12, 1970. The head-popping tune was his 42nd hit to enter the chart in 12 years of his solo career, and his 16th and last single to be in the top 10.
The single was produced by Carl Davis, one of the most distinguished musical producers, with backing by Motown’s favorite, the Funk Brothers which composed of Benny Benjamin, James Jamerson, and Earl Van Dyke. Written by Jack Daniels and Daniel Moore, this first single from the album with the same title became a soulful upbeat masterpiece with musical engineering by Bruce Sweiden.
The song debuted on the R&B chart at number 43 and peaked at number 9, while it entered the Hot 100 at number 56.
From Gospel to R&B
Before being a celebrated master showman, Wilson first displayed his interest in singing at a young age by joining a church choir with his mother. He joined a gospel quartet named Ever Ready Gospel Singers during his teens.
Before becoming an R&B superstar, Jackie Wilson was first a gospel singer and a boxing titleholder
At the age of 15, he dropped out from high school and got detained in the juvenile system of Lansing Corrections twice. While serving his second sentence, he learned boxing and at 16, started joining amateur boxing matches in Detroit. During his short boxing stint, he won the American Amateur Golden Gloves Welterweight boxing title.
After being forced to quit boxing by his mother, he started singing again at Lee’s Sensation Club, where he got his big break after being discovered by talent agent Johnny Otis. He then became a part of an African-American R&B vocal group called Dominoes, which was formed by Billy Ward.
Dominoes was a huge success, becoming one of the most sought-after R&B groups in the ’50s. Their first number one hit, “Sixty Minute Man,” which was released in 1951, was touted as one of the most influential songs that built the foundations of rock ‘n’ roll.
Solo Career

Jackie Wilson gained the moniker “Mr. Excitement” because of his fiery and spectacular performances
In 1957, Wilson left the group and started his solo career with his first single, “Reet Petite”, although this did not become a huge hit, his first top tenner came with “To Be Loved” that peaked at number 7 in the R&B charts. His song “Lonely Teardrops” in 1958, reached number 7 in the pop charts and hit the number one spot in US R&B, the first for his solo career. This song was a certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
His next number one hit was “You Better Know It” a year after – the song which was used in the rock-and-roll movie “Go Johnny Go” in which he co-starred with Alan Freed, both playing as themselves. Wilson’s career continued to soar in the ’60s with number 1 hits including “A Woman, A Lover, A Friend” and “Doggin’ Around” in 1960; “Baby Workout” in 1963; and “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” in 1967.
After his death in Jan. 21, 1984, his first solo single was re-released in UK in 1986 and reached the top rank in the British charts. The Detroit-born singer died due to pneumonia at only 49.
Jackie Wilson’s last number one hit is “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher,” which was released in 1967
Idols
With the intensity and fieriness of his performance, Wilson was greatly remembered as Mr. Excitement. His magnificent command and appeal on stage became a massive inspiration among many performers, including James Brown, Michael Jackson, and even Elvis Presley. Some even referred to Wilson as the “Black Elvis,” in which the King reacted by saying that if that were the case, then he should be called the “White Jackie Wilson.”
Jackson even dedicated his Grammy’s Album of the Year award for “Thriller” to Wilson in 1984. In 2005, Wilson was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.
More in Retro music
-
`
Taylor Swift Wrote This Song for Her Mom Who Didn’t Immediately Realize It Was Her Daughter’s Voice
When kids grow up, they usually become shy of expressing their love for their parents, particularly their mothers who sacrificed a...
June 12, 2022 -
`
Remembering Prince’s Lackluster Film ‘Under The Cherry Moon’
The late Prince Rogers Nelson, better known as Prince, is popular for the legacy he left behind in the form of...
June 12, 2022 -
`
Find Out Which Characters Have Left ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ And Why
“Grey’s Anatomy” is the longest running series of the ABC network and that’s not possible without the star cast. In this...
June 12, 2022 -
`
Archeologists Discover 500-year-old Skeleton Wearing Thigh-high Boots
A pair of high boots are a fashion staple in everyone’s winter wardrobe – but if you thought that these stylish...
June 12, 2022 -
`
Top ’80s Classic Video Games You Totally Miss
One of the best ways to entertain yourself is playing video games since advanced technology took over the world. These addictive...
June 12, 2022 -
`
Brad Pitt Lost The Chance to Earn $250 Million When He Declined this Highly Successful Franchise
The Wachowski sisters, the masterminds behind the incredible storyline, only had one film in their minds before the first release. However,...
June 11, 2022 -
`
What People Get Wrong (And Right) About The Vikings
There are many famous theories about Viking like they were bearded and suppressed everyone around them. But according to Janina Ramirez, this...
June 11, 2022 -
`
Saying Goodbye to ‘The Jerry Springer Show’ After 27 Seasons
There have been so many controversial shows on television in the past couple of decades, but there hasn’t been anything like...
June 11, 2022 -
`
Last One Standing: Remaining Blockbuster Video Store is in Oregon
It is absolutely crazy how time flies so fast that people can hardly catch up. Things have changed so much from...
June 11, 2022
You must be logged in to post a comment Login