Jimmy Wilson (blues musician)

Jimmy Wilson (possibly January 21, 1918,[1] 1921 or 1923[2] – February 5, 1965[2] or February 24, 1966[1]) was an American West Coast blues singer, best known for his 1953 hit "Tin Pan Alley".

Jimmy Wilson
Birth nameJimmie Ned Wilson
Born(1918-01-21)January 21, 1918 or 1921/23
Louisiana, U.S.
Died(1966-02-24)February 24, 1966 (aged 43–47)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
GenresBlues
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1951–mid-1960s
Associated actsLafayette Thomas, Bob Geddins

Life and career

Details of Wilson's life are sketchy and uncertain. He may have been born Jimmie Ned Wilson in Gibsland, Louisiana, in 1918,[1] or (according to other sources) near Lake Charles, Louisiana a few years later.[2]

Wilson was singing with a gospel quartet, the Pilgrim Travelers, in California, when Bob Geddins began recording him in Oakland in 1951, initially with his band Bob Geddins' Cavaliers.[3] Further recordings were made under Wilson's own name, often accompanied by guitarist Lafayette Thomas.[4] Some of the masters were purchased by Aladdin, and Wilson then recorded for Aladdin in 1952 before returning to record for Geddins' Big Town Records in 1953.[5] The first side released,[4] "Tin Pan Alley", reached number 10 on the US Billboard R&B chart,[6] and helped to establish Geddins as a major figure in West Coast blues.[7]

Wilson continued to record for Big Town, and a few other labels,[4] but failed to capitalize on the success of "Tin Pan Alley". He returned to Louisiana, where he recorded for Goldband Records; his 1958 song "Please Accept My Love" was later recorded by B. B. King[4][2] and Elton Anderson.[8] His last recordings were for Duke Records in Houston, Texas in 1961.[3]

Wilson developed alcoholism, and died in Dallas, Texas, either on February 5, 1965[2] or on February 24, 1966.[1]

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References
  1. Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues – A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara: Praeger Publishers. p. 305. ISBN 978-0313344237.
  2. Komara, Edward and Lee, Peter (2004). Blues Encyclopedia. Routledge, p. 1092
  3. Jimmy Wilson Discography, Wirz.de. Retrieved November 2, 2016
  4. "Jimmy Wilson | Biography & History". AllMusic. February 5, 1965. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  5. Leadbitter, M., Fancourt, L. and Pelletier, P. (1994): Blues Records 1943–1970 Vol 2, London: Record Information Services, pp. 715–717
  6. Whitburn, Joel (1996). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–1995. Record Research. p. 487.
  7. Santelli, Robert (2001). The Big Book of Blues: A Biographical Encyclopedia. Penguin Books, p. 524, ISBN 978-0141001456
  8. Broven, John (1983). South to Louisiana: The Music of the Cajun Bayous. Pelican Publishing Company. p. 272. ISBN 9780882896083.
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