Pickett, soul great

NEW YORK – Wilson Pickett (64), the soul pioneer best known for the fiery hits ‘Mustang Sally’ and ‘In The Midnight Hour’, has died of a heart attack.

“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 singer’s son, said.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.’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.Pickett was defined by his raspy voice and passionate delivery.But the Alabama-born Pickett got his start singing gospel music in church.In 1965, he partnered with legendary soul producer Jerry Wexler at the equally legendary soul label Stax Records and recorded one of his greatest hits, ‘In the Midnight Hour’.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.Pickett suffered through some tough times.In 1991, he was arrested for allegedly yelling death threats while driving a car over the mayor’s front lawn in New Jersey, 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.In 1987, he was given two years’ probation and fined for carrying a loaded shotgun in his car.Besides his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1991, he was also given the Pioneer award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation two years later.”If I wasn’t in show business I don’t know what I would have been – a wanderer or something, you know?” he said in a 2001 interview.”But God blessed me with the talent and the chance.I knocked on enough doors, and this is what I can give myself credit for.”- Nampa-APIt 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 singer’s son, said.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.’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.Pickett was defined by his raspy voice and passionate delivery.But the Alabama-born Pickett got his start singing gospel music in church.In 1965, he partnered with legendary soul producer Jerry Wexler at the equally legendary soul label Stax Records and recorded one of his greatest hits, ‘In the Midnight Hour’.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.Pickett suffered through some tough times.In 1991, he was arrested for allegedly yelling death threats while driving a car over the mayor’s front lawn in New Jersey, 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.In 1987, he was given two years’ probation and fined for carrying a loaded shotgun in his car.Besides his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1991, he was also given the Pioneer award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation two years later.”If I wasn’t in show business I don’t know what I would have been – a wanderer or something, you know?” he said in a 2001 interview.”But God blessed me with the talent and the chance.I knocked on enough doors, and this is what I can give myself credit for.”- Nampa-AP