Died On This Date (January 21, 1984) Jackie Wilson / R&B Great
themusicsover Jackie Wilson
June 9, 1934 – January 21, 1984
Jackie Wilson was an R&B singer who came to be known as “Mr. Excitement” during a career that spanned from the early ’50s until tragedy struck in 1975. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Wilson’s young life was spotted with trips to a juvenile detention center until, at age 17, he turned his focus on music. He was discovered by the legendary Johnny Otis who got him a spot singing for a local R&B vocal group, the Thrillers. Before long, Wilson was signed as a solo artist to Brunswick Records. He went on to record over 50 hit singles, including perhaps his best known, “Lonely Teardrops” and “(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher.” As a performer, Wilson knew few equals. He is said to have inspired Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. On September 25, 1975, Wilson suffered a heart attack while singing “Lonely Teardrops” at a Dick Clark show in New Jersey. The on-stage fall resulted in a head injury that put him in a coma or vegetative state for the rest of his life. Jackie Wilson was 49 when he died of pneumonia on January 21, 1984.
What You Should Own
Larry “L.A.” Johnson was a respected filmmaker who worked with Neil Young for the better part of forty years. Coming from a similar school of film making ideals that made stars out of Martin Scorsese and Brian DePalma, Johnson’s first break came in 1969 when he was hired as a sound recordist for the Woodstock concert film. His tremendous work on the landmark film earned him an Academy Award nomination in 1971. It was while working at Woodstock that Johnson met Young, and it was thanks to that chance meeting, Johnson was soon hired by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young to film a never-released concert film that captured a series of shows in 1970. Eight years later, Young hired Johnson to capture live footage for a concert movie to be called Rust Never Sleeps, which became one of the genre’s greatest films. Young went on to put Johnson in charge of his film production company, Shakey Pictures, where he produced Weld, Neil Young: Silver and Gold, Year of the Horse, Greendale and other Young vehicles. Out side of his work with Young, Johnson also collaborated with the likes of Belinda Carlisle, New Edition, Bobby Brown, and Bob Dylan. On January 21, 2010, Larry Johnson died of an apparent heart attack. He was 62.
Lamar Williams was the bassist for the Allman Brothers Band from 1972 to 1976, the peak of the band’s success. He also played in the post-Allman Brothers’ group, Sea Level. During Williams’ early days, he played with future Allman, Jaimoe, in a soul band called Sounds of Soul. His career was briefly interrupted when he was drafted and sent off to Vietnam. Shortly after his return, he joined the Allman Brothers Band, replacing original bassist, 
