Happy Heavenly Birthday to “Show and Tell” singer Al Wilson

Today we commemorate the birthday of the late great Al Wilson, born June 19th, 1939. 

Smooth soul singer Al Wilson will forever be best known for his across-the-board smash hit, “Show and Tell,” but his career spanned over three decades and won for him fans around the world.

Born in Meridian, Mississippi, Wilson began singing and playing the drums at his church while still a pre-teen.  After a stint in the armed forces, Wilson relocated to LA and began working in various bands around town. He was “discovered” by pop singer Johnny Rivers, who signed Wilson to his Soul City label and produced Al’s first hit, “The Snake.”

Wilson continued to chart at the lower rungs of the soul listings for five years, before rocketing to the top with his version of “Show and Tell,” one of 1973’s best songs and a nearly perfect vocal performance.  The song moved Wilson to the upper echelon of soul performers, and he stayed there the next year with two more hits, “La La Peace Song” and “Touch and Go.” He continued his success in 1976, nearly topping the charts with “I’ve Got A Feeling (We’ll See Each other Soon).”

Wilson recorded with less success through the remainder of the decade, but continued to perform around the world well into the 21st Century.  Sadly, he died of kidney failure on April 21, 2008.

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