Jack Leroy “Jackie” Wilson Jr. was born on June 9, 1934, in Detroit, Michigan and died at the age of 49 on January 21, 1984, in Mount Holly, New Jersey. He was an American soul singer-songwriter and performer. He was important in the transition of rhythm and blues into soul. He was a master showman and was nicknamed “Mr. Excitement.” Gaining fame in his early years as a member of the R&B vocal group Billy Ward and His Dominoes, he went solo in 1957 and recorded over 50 hit singles. A two-time Grammy Hall of Fame Inductee, Wilson was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Wilson was an inspiration to Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, James Brown and Michael Jackson to name a few. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Jackie Wilson #69 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.