Wilson Pickett dies of Heart Attack at age 64

January 20th, 2006

Wilson Pickett, soul singer of popular hits, “Mustang Sally” and “In the Midnight Hour” died Thursday of a heart attack at age 64.

In 1965, “In the Midnight Hour” was his first big hit.  He was an Alabama native and was performing up until last year.  He stalled with his music career in the 1970’s when he switched record labels.  In 1981, he toured with a group of R&B musical veterans - Solomon Burke, Joe Tex, Don Covay, and Ben E. King.  The tour called “Soul Clan” was not as big of a hit as hoped.

Wilson Pickett was born on March 18^th, 1941 in Prattville, Alabama.  He had a humble upbringing with 10 brothers and sisters.  The mother was said to be abusive to him.  His grandfather, a preacher, was said to have beat him when he sang secular songs.  When Pickett was in his mid-teens he moved to Detroit to live with his father.

Pickett joined up with an R&B group called the Falcons despite his roots with gospel music.  In 1962, he wrote and sang the lead for the hit song called “I Found a Love.”  He also wrote other hit songs including “If You Need Me” which was performed by both Solomon Burke and the Rolling Stones.

Pickett has a fiancée and two sons and two daughters. There will be a wake in Virginia next week, followed by a burial in Louisville, Kentucky.

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By Nicole Wilson
Best Syndication Staff Writer

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