Wilson Pickett: The Wicked Soul of Southern R&B

Wilson Pickett was an American soul singer whose raw, impassioned vocals defined the gritty Southern soul sound of the 1960s. Hailing from Prattville, Alabama, his string of hits for Atlantic Records, including "In the Midnight Hour" and "Mustang Sally," cemented his legacy as one of the genre's most electrifying performers.

Early career

Born in 1941, Pickett moved to Detroit as a teenager and began singing in gospel groups. His first professional break came in 1959 when he joined the vocal group The Falcons, co-writing and singing lead on their R&B hit "I Found a Love." This early success caught the attention of Lloyd Price, who signed Pickett to his Double L Records, where he recorded his first solo singles.

Breakthrough

Pickett's career exploded in 1965 after signing with Atlantic Records and traveling to Memphis' Stax Studios. There, with guitarist Steve Cropper, he co-wrote and recorded "In the Midnight Hour." The song became a monumental hit, reaching number one on the R&B chart and number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, establishing his signature aggressive style and earning gold certification.

Key tracks

In the Midnight Hour — This 1965 Stax recording is his definitive breakthrough, famous for its iconic horn-driven groove and Pickett's fiery delivery.

Mustang Sally — Originally written and recorded by Mack Rice, Pickett's 1966 cover for Atlantic became the definitive version, a soul standard covered by countless artists.

Land of 1,000 Dances — His 1966 recording of this Chris Kenner song is arguably the most famous version, driven by his explosive shouts and the unforgettable "na na na na na" riff.

Funky Broadway — Pickett's 1967 cover of this Dyke & the Blazers song gave him another major R&B hit and showed his adept move into funkier territory.

Engine Number 9 — This 1970 hit, recorded at the famed Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, returned him to the top ten on the pop charts and demonstrated his lasting hit-making power.

Following his Memphis success, Pickett began recording at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, producing a relentless run of hits including "634-5789," "Land of 1,000 Dances," and "Funky Broadway." His album The Exciting Wilson Pickett was a major success, solidifying his reputation. He continued to score hits into the early 1970s, such as "Don't Let the Green Grass Fool You" and a funky cover of the Beatles' "Hey Jude."

Pickett's influence extended through notable collaborations, including working with guitar legend Duane Allman on a cover of "Hey Jude" and recording with the Philadelphia soul team of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Despite changing musical trends, his classic Atlantic recordings remained timeless. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.

For fans of Wilson Pickett's brand of powerful soul, the music of Otis Redding shares the same raw emotional intensity and Southern roots. The energetic stage presence and hit-making ability of Sam and Dave also mirror Pickett's approach. The gritty vocals of Solomon Burke offer a similar depth of feeling in classic soul. Furthermore, the dynamic sound of Aretha Franklin, who also recorded at Atlantic and Muscle Shoals, represents the pinnacle of the same era.

The music of Wilson Pickett remains a staple on classic soul and oldies radio stations across the globe. His timeless hits are regularly featured on dedicated R&B radio streams and throwback FM stations that celebrate the golden age of 1960s music.

You can hear the powerful soul of Wilson Pickett on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Discover his legendary tracks and the artists he influenced by tuning into the classic R&B and soul stations available on our platform.