Jimmy Wilson (blues musician)

Jimmy Wilson
Born 1921 or 1923
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Died February 5, 1965(1965-02-05)
Dallas, Texas
Genres Blues
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1951–1960s
Associated acts Lafayette Thomas, Bob Geddins

Jimmy Wilson (1921 or 1923 – February 5, 1965) was a West Coast blues singer, best known for his 1953 hit “Tin Pan Alley”.

Life and career

Born near Lake Charles, Louisiana in 1921 or 1923,[1] Wilson was singing with a gospel quartet in California when Bob Geddins began recording him in 1951, initially with his band Bob Geddins' Cavaliers. Further recordings were made under Wilson's own name, often accompanied by guitarist Lafayette Thomas.[2] Some of the masters were purchased by Aladdin, and Wilson then recorded for Aladdin in 1952 before returning to record for Geddins' Big Town Records in 1953.[3] The first side released,[2] "Tin Pan Alley", reached number 10 on the US Billboard R&B chart and helped to establish Geddins as a major figure in West Coast blues.[4] Wilson continued to record for Big Town, and a few other labels,[2] but failed to capitalise on the success of "Tin Pan Alley" and returned to Louisiana, where he made further recordings for local labels.[1]

Wilson died on February 5, 1965 in Dallas, Texas.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Komara, Edward and Lee, Peter (2004). Blues Encyclopedia. Routledge, p. 1092
  2. 1 2 3 "Jimmy Wilson | Biography & History". AllMusic. 1965-02-05. Retrieved 2015-10-07.
  3. ↑ Leadbitter, M., Fancourt, L. and Pelletier, P. (1994): Blues Records 1943-1970 Vol 2, London: Record Information Services, pp. 715-717
  4. ↑ Santelli, Robert (2001). The Big Book of Blues: A Biographical Encyclopedia. Penguin Books, p. 524, ISBN 978-0141001456
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