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I awoke at 5 am this morning to the sound of 60’s R&B mega star, Jackie Wilson’s 1967 hit “Higher and Higher” in my head. I thought God woke me up to do something with this song in praise of all the love and support I’ve received from my family, friends and those who’ve reached out to me on this blog. The lyric “Your love keeps lifting me higher than I’ve ever been lifted before” definitely describes how I feel about God and all the love and support surrounding me and my cancer journey!

I remember Jackie Wilson (June 9, 1934 – January 21, 1984) from my childhood since Wilson is from my hometown Detroit, Michigan and used to perform at the historic Greystone Ballroom where my sister went to see him. My father always objected talking about what he felt could be an objectionable crowd and knife fights. My mother would calm him down and let my sister go anyway. I was always like “why can’t I go?” I was only 6 or 7 years old at the time.

Wilson was called “Mr. Excitement” because of his dance moves and energy onstage. His stagecraft in his live shows inspired James Brown, Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley, as well as a host of other artists that followed. A two-time Grammy Hall of Fame Inductee, Wilson was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Jackie Wilson #69 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

“Higher and Higher” was always one of my favorite of his songs. Revisiting this hit inspired me to look at other old performances of Jackie Wilson. Can’t believe I remember the words. Well, that’s me, “The Human Jukebox”. 😄

Here’s a little more Jackie Wilson for your entertainment on the 60’s classic dance/music tv show, Shindig.

Some of his major hits include:

1957 – “To Be Loved”

1958 – “Lonely Teardrops”

1959 – That’s Why (I Love You So)”

1960 – “Doggin’ Around”

1963 – “Baby Workout”

1967 – “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher”