"Mr. Excitement"

Today in Music History: December 27

Top performing superstars often are categorized by standards set in one specific genre mainly because of unique vocal styles. Many performers attempt crossovers from one genre to another, a difficult task for some while quite natural for others. Just because a star is a star does not mean he or she can two-step or waltz between standards. There have been a few greats, such as Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong and, of course, the one in the spotlight today who is definitely considered a successful crossover artist.

Welcome into the spotlight...

 Jackie Wilson: a dynamic and powerful soul performer during the '50s and '60s who successfully crossed over from rhythm and blues to pop music

As a dynamic soul performer during the '50s and '60s, Jackie Wilson successfully crossed over from the R&B charts to pop music, paving the way for a generation of African-American performers. Known as "Mr. Excitement", Wilson was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. His first experience with success came with the joining of the group Billy Ward and his Dominoes in 1953. Wilson's first major hit, "Lonely Teardrops", topped the charts in 1958. More successful songs soon followed, including "Night" in 1960, "Baby Workout" in 1963 and "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" in 1967. Wilson collapsed on stage in 1975 and spent remainder of his life in a coma. He died in New Jersey in 1984, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

1986 Jackie Wilson had the UK Christmas No.1 single with 'Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Want to Meet)' two years after Wilson's death, following its use in a commercial for Levi's. Written in 1957 by Berry Gordy and Tyran Carlo, the success of the song helped Gordy fund the launch of Motown Records.

• No.1 singles on this day...

  
  

  1969 Diana Ross and the Supremes went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Someday We'll Be Together', the group's 12th US No.1. A No.13 hit in the UK.

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  1975 The Staple Singers went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Let's Do It Again' the group's second US No.1.

• 1997 The Spice Girls went to No.1 on the UK singles chart with 'Too Much'. The group set another new world record as their first six singles all made No.1.

•  No.1 albums on this day...

  
  

  1969 Led Zeppelin II was at No.1 on the US album charts, it went on to sell over six million copies in the US.

• 1975 Queen started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK chart with 'A Night At The Opera' the group's first No.1 album.

• 2008 Taylor Swift started a seven-week run at No.1 on the US album charts with 'Fearless'. As of 2013, Swift had sold over 26 million albums and 75 million digital single downloads worldwide. Forbes estimates that she is worth over $220 million.

 
2005 ‘Crazy Frog’ by Axel F was the best selling UK ringtone. ‘Tweet Tweet’ by Sweetie Chick was the second & ‘(Is This The Way To) Amarillo’ by Tony Christie & Peter Kay was the third biggest seller. The UK ringtone market was now worth more than double the value of the CD singles sales.

And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...