Al Wilson

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Biography

Allen LaMar “Al” Wilson (June 19, 1939 – April 21, 2008) was an American soul singer best known for the hit song “Show and Tell”, and in the UK for the earlier hit, “The Snake”

Wilson was born in Meridian, Mississippi. He showed little interest in education but performed in school plays, sang in talent shows and won first prize in a local art contest. Wilson began his career at the age of 12 leading his own spiritual quartet and singing in the church choir, even performing covers of country and western hits as circumstances dictated. While he was in high school, Wilson and his family relocated to San Bernardino, California, where he worked odd jobs as a mail carrier, a janitor, and an office clerk, in addition to teaching himself to play drums; after graduation he spent four years touring with Johnny Harris and the Statesmen before joining the U.S. Navy and singing with an enlisted men’s chorus. He also developed his stand-up comedy routine to fall back on in case he didn’t make it as a singer.

After a two-year military stint, Wilson settled in Los Angeles, touring the local nightclub circuit before joining the R&B vocal group the Jewels; from there he landed with the Rollers, followed by a stint with the instrumental combo the Souls.
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  • applecloud

    wonderful his music, his voice, great him

    17 May 2012 Reply

  • promisedeyes

    His singing is just out of this world!

    14 May 2011 Reply

  • nightglow

    So beautiful and great!

    5 May 2011 Reply

  • MusicQuizKing75

    a voice like satin.

    20 Sep 2010 Reply

  • whythe60shateus

    good stuff.. fuck, very good music +♥

    4 May 2010 Reply

  • dardar227

    R.I.P. Al. A wonderful irreplaceable talent who touched us with his great songs.

    17 Apr 2010 Reply

  • djangotomi

    yeah :)

    17 Apr 2009 Reply

  • sc-moebel

    This is "The" ultimate track, which remindes me of so many Soul Nighters ;-)

    9 Dec 2008 Reply

  • itsmeted

    The fact that Al could one-up the great crooner Johnny Mathis says EVERYTTHING about the ingenuity of 70's soul. "Show and Tell" (Al's version) is a monumental and gorgeous example of great soul music.

    29 Oct 2008 Reply

  • nightglow

    Sssssnake... ttttight!

    10 Oct 2008 Reply

  • kingofgrief

    I'm not an expert on his repertoire, but Show and Tell is one of the reasons the Seventies are my favorite years for rhythm and blues. R.I.P.

    22 Apr 2008 Reply

  • eveldo

    Haha...lots of funny tags for Mr. Wilson.

    24 May 2007 Reply

  • MarcusAKAFatima

    and who tagged him as industrial!?

    3 May 2007 Reply

  • veroniska

    death metal? who tagged al wilson death metal?!?!?!

    9 Apr 2007 Reply

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