Advanced search
- TITLES
- NAMES
- COLLABORATIONS
Search filters
Enter full date
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
Only includes names with the selected topics
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
1-13 of 13
- Music Artist
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Jackie "Sonny" Wilson was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Highland Park, the only son of Jack and Eliza Mae Wilson from Columbus, Mississippi. His father was an alcoholic and constantly unemployed, and his mother, who had lost two earlier children, doted on Jackie and became a powerful influence in his life. He began to sing at an early age, and even formed a quartet, The Ever Ready Gospel Singers Group, which earned a small measure of fame among the local churches.
Wilson was a habitual truant, getting in trouble on a regular basis. He began drinking at age nine, and in 1950 at age 16 dropped out of high school. He married Freda Hood, his childhood sweetheart, and a daughter arrived in March, 1951. At this time he was singing in local clubs with Levi Stubbs(later of The Four Tops fame). In 1953 he successfully auditioned for Billy Ward's Dominoes, replacing Clyde McPhatter when the latter left the group to form The Drifters. Their first release was "You Can't Keep A Good Man Down", followed by "Rags to Riches." In 1956 they had their first pop hit, "St. Therese Of The Roses."
In 1957 Wilson embarked on a solo career. His manager was Al Green, a music publisher and manager who was already managing Della Reese, Johnnie Ray and La Vern Baker. Green was able to secure Wilson a recording contract with Brunswick Records. However, Green suddenly died the day before the deal was officially signed. He was replaced by Nat Turnpool. Collaborating with Berry Gordy and Roquel "Billy" Davis, Wilson soon had a string of hits to his name, among them "To Be Loved," "Reet Petite" and "That Is Why," as well as his biggest hit, "Lonely Teardrops."
This partnership ended after disagreements between Tarnpool and the team of Davis/Gordy over inadequate payments. After parting ways, Gordy used his royalties to create Hitsville USA Studios, later to become Motown Records. The rest is music history. Davis joined Chess Records as A&R manager and would achieve success in his own right as a songwriter and producer. Tarnpool, confident that he could do without the Davis/Gordy team, had band leader Dick Jacobs produce most of Wilson's recordings from 1957 through 1966, resulting in frequent crossovers between R&B and pop. Wilson had moderate hits during this period, with songs such as "Night" and "Alone at Last". In 1961 he formed a songwriting partnership with Alonzo Tucker that yielded the hit "Baby Workout."
Although married to Freda Hood since 1951, Wilson was notorious for his numerous affairs with other women. Things came to a head in 1961 when Juanita Jones, an aspiring model, shot Wilson twice in the stomach after hearing about his affair with Harlean Harris, ex-girlfriend of singer Sam Cooke. Wilson was rushed to the hospital where quick surgery saved his life, although he lost a kidney. Since one of the bullets was too close to his spine, doctors ruled out surgery to remove it as far too dangerous. Wilson would have to carry it around for the rest of his life.
Besides women, Wilson had another dangerous weakness: he was incredibly naive and easily trusting, something that Tarnpool took advantage of. Wilson had signed over power-of-attorney to him despite strong rumors of Tarnpool's mob connections and his reputation as an unscrupulous businessman. In 1962 the IRS seized Wilson's family home due to his failure to pay back taxes (due mainly to the fact that Tarnpool had been pocketing all of Wilson's earnings). Wilson realized that, despite the success of his career, he was broke and homeless. Eventually he made arrangements with the IRS to make restitution on the unpaid taxes and was able to re-purchase his own house at an auction.
During this time the "British Invasion" took place, sending his career into freefall. His last hit was "Your Love (Keeps Lifting Me Higher And Higher)" in 1968. Two years later his 16-year-old son Jackie Jr. was shot and killed during a confrontation with a neighbor. Jackie's wife Frida had long since filed for divorce, having their marriage officially annulled in 1965. Despite these circumstances, Jackie treated her as though she was still his wife.
On September 29, 1975 Wilson suffered a major heart attack while on stage at Dick Clark's "Traveling Oldies Revue". As he fell he hit his head on some stage equipment, resulting in serious brain damage. He stayed in a coma until his death at 49 on January 21, 1984.- Harold Gary was born on 7 May 1906 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The French Connection (1971), Lights Out (1946) and Man Against Crime (1949). He died on 21 January 1984 in New York City, New York, USA.
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Roger Blin was born on 22 March 1907 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Seine [now Hauts-de-Seine], France. He was an actor and director, known for Les compagnons de Baal (1968), That Most Important Thing: Love (1975) and Orpheus (1950). He died on 21 January 1984 in Evecquemont, Yvelines, France.- Art Director
- Production Designer
Walter Scott Herndon was born on 7 February 1927 in Atascadero, Caiifornia, USA. Walter Scott was an art director and production designer, known for The Last Picture Show (1971), Playhouse 90 (1956) and A Soldier's Story (1984). Walter Scott died on 21 January 1984 in Centralia, Washington, USA.- Actor
Frank Grandetta was born on 25 November 1905 in Spokane, Washington, USA. He was an actor. He died on 21 January 1984 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Writer
- Script and Continuity Department
Alan Marshall was born on 2 May 1902 in Noorat, Victoria, Australia. He was a writer, known for The Singer and the Dancer (1977), Hammers Over the Anvil (1993) and Jumping Over Puddles (1971). He died on 21 January 1984 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Seward Webb was born on 21 January 1912 in New York, USA. He was an assistant director, known for Blonde Alibi (1946), She Gets Her Man (1945) and Flesh and Fantasy (1943). He died on 21 January 1984 in Los Angeles County, California, USA.- Marie Bisgaard was born on 15 September 1898 in Holstebro, Denmark. She was an actress, known for Rekrut 67, Petersen (1952). She died on 21 January 1984 in Holstebro, Denmark.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Willi Hoffmann was born on 18 June 1909 in Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany. He was an actor, known for Die Fledermaus (1959), Hochzeitsnacht im Paradies (1950) and Musik aus aller Welt (1961). He died on 21 January 1984.- Frankie Grandetta was born on 25 November 1905 in Washington, USA. He was an actor, known for Womanpower (1926) and Four Star Playhouse (1952). He died on 21 January 1984 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- Willy Hofmann was born on 18 June 1909 in Frankfurt am Main, Grand Duchy of Hesse, Germany. He was an actor, known for Das große Wunschkonzert (1960), Der liebe Augustin (1962) and Der Bettelstudent (1961). He died on 21 January 1984.
- István Edõcs was born on 19 March 1941 in Budapest, Hungary. He was an actor, known for Kopaszkutya (1981), Talpuk alatt fütyül a szél (1976) and Linda (1984). He died on 21 January 1984 in Budapest, Hungary.
- Animation Department
Grace Stanzell was born on 23 July 1925 in North Dakota, USA. Grace is known for Heavy Metal (1981), Fantastic Four (1967) and Coonskin (1974). Grace died on 21 January 1984 in Los Angeles, California, USA.