Music
Wilson Pickett
1941–2006 · singer, songwriter
Soul singer of "In the Midnight Hour" and "Mustang Sally" who moved to Detroit at 14 and learned his craft in its gospel groups and with the Falcons.
- Born
Prattville, Alabama- Died
Reston, Virginia
aged 64- Also known as
- Wicked Pickett
- Detroit years
- 1955–early 1960s
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Pickett grew up in Alabama singing in Baptist choirs and in 1955 moved to Detroit to live with his father. His raw, forceful style took shape in the city's churches and streets, influenced by Little Richard. That year he joined the Violinaires, a touring gospel group, and after four years he crossed into secular music with the Falcons, one of the first vocal groups to bring gospel fervor into R&B; its members included Eddie Floyd and Mack Rice. His lead on the Falcons' "I Found a Love" (1962), which he co-wrote, launched his solo career. Signing with Atlantic, he recorded at Stax and in Muscle Shoals and became one of soul's defining voices with "In the Midnight Hour", "Land of 1000 Dances", "Funky Broadway" and Mack Rice's "Mustang Sally". He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.
Highlights
- Moved to Detroit in 1955; sang with the gospel Violinaires
- Lead singer of the Falcons on "I Found a Love" (1962)
- "In the Midnight Hour" (1965) and "Mustang Sally" (1966)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1991)