Wilson Pickett Dies of Heart Attack at 64
Jan 19, 6:55 PM EST

The Associated Press

RESTON, Va. -- Wilson Pickett, the soul pioneer best known for the fiery hits "Mustang Sally" and "In The Midnight Hour," died of a heart attack Thursday, according to his management company. He was 64.

Chris Tuthill of the management company Talent Source said Pickett had been suffering from health problems for the past year.

"He did his part. It was a great ride, a great trip, I loved him and I'm sure he was well-loved, and I just hope that he's given his props," Michael Wilson Pickett, the fourth of the singer's six children, told WRC-TV in Washington after his death.

Pickett — known as the "Wicked Pickett" — became a star with his soulful hits in the 1960s. "In the Midnight Hour" made the top 25 on the Billboard pop charts in 1965 and "Mustang Sally" did the same the following year.

"A fellow Detroiter, Wilson Pickett was one of the greatest soul singers of all time." Aretha Franklin said in a statement. "He will absolutely be missed. I am thankful that I got the chance to speak to him not too long ago."

Pickett was defined by his raspy voice and passionate delivery. But the Alabama-born picket got his start singing gospel music in church. After moving to Detroit as a teen, he joined the group the Falcons, which scored the hit "I Found a Love" with Pickett on lead vocals in 1962.

He went solo a year later, and would soon find his greatest success. In 1965, he linked with legendary soul producer Jerry Wexler at the equally legendary soul label Stax Records in Memphis, and recorded one of his greatest hits, "In the Midnight Hour," for Atlantic Records. A string of hits followed, including "634-5789," "Funky Broadway" and "Mustang Sally." His sensuous soul was in sharp contrast to the genteel soul songs of his Detroit counterparts at Motown Records.

As Pickett entered a new decade, he had less success on the charts, but still had hits, including the song "Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You."

Without appearing in the film, he cast a long shadow and served as a role model in "The Commitments" in 1991, the same year he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

But Pickett suffered through some tough times.

Also in '91, he was arrested for allegedly yelling death threats while driving a car over the mayor's front lawn in Englewood, N.J., and less than a year later was charged with assaulting his girlfriend.

In 1993, he was convicted of drunk driving and sentenced to a year in jail and five years' probation after hitting an 86-year-old man with his car.

awwww, not the Pickett....

I didn't know a lot of songs by him, but the ones I did know....I loved.

Aretha should do a tribute to him at the Superbowl. that would be nice

AnckSuNamun said:

Damn, relatively young.

R.I.P.

In The Midnight Hour..

Love Wilson Pickett and Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You, Midnight Hour and others.

You will be missed.

-----

Martin and Pam are fighting again.

Martin: Ya hair so nappy, Wilson couldn't Picket!

-----

RIP

he'll be missed


[Edited 1/20/06 3:11am]

It's a sad day in soulville...

RIP

Rest In Peace Wicked Pickett





Your influence will be felt for decades to come.

Can we get a sticky for this one then? The man is a legend!

I started my thread because I couldn't find this one.

your wish..is my command..

Mustang Sally was my dads jam....sigh I guess they are both jammin together now..

My jam is

"Get Me Back On Time, Engine Number 9"

CinisterCee said:

That is a great song.

I also like Land of 1000 Dances

My moms and I saw Mr. Pickett a couple of times. That man was one bad muthaffff!! He was an electricity, funkified lightning!! I miss will miss his wicked badness and powerful soul screams!! Danced and funked to his music from A-Z! Grew up on everything he made!! Land of a Thousand Dances, 99 1/2, Engine, Engine No. 9, Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You - All of his music! God Bless You and RIP, The Mighty Wicked Wilson Pickett!!

Sorely missed

One of my Top 5 Male R&B singers...



I'm In Love
I Found A Love
Don't Fight It
99 and a 1/2
634-5789
Land Of 1000 Dances
Don't Knock My Love
Mustang Sally
Funky Broadway

...The real deal.

Really glad I was able to see him perform in his prime.
(Buddy Miles was his drummer at the time)





tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

Wow, that's really cool that u got to see him perform. Great vocalist. My dad knew him fairly well. I like his songs, especially "I'm In Love". That's my fave from him.

RIP Wicked!

blackguitaristz said:

That's a great tune. Most folks know him for the uptempo stuff.
But he could also really squall a ballad.

I got to see him perform at a show in the late '60s.

Also on the bill...

Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels
Cream
The Who
The Young Rascals
The Mandala
The Blues Project
Phil Ochs
Simon & Garfunkel
The Blues Magoos
Jan and Dean
The Guess Who
(and some others that I can't remember)

...all for a whopping $3.50!


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

Whaaaaat?!!!! Cream, The Who and the rest?! Damn. That's how it was back then, Aud. It was strictly about the music. It was STILL like that in the 70's too. I remember when I was little, seeing The Isleys, Graham Central Station and Tower of Power all on one bill. That's nothing compared the set list u saw, but still, it was slammin'!

missfee said:

My scentiments exactly

I thought his songs were a bit corny, but may he rest in peace.