News

Wilson Pickett Dies at 64

Veteran soul singer Wilson Pickett, whose 1960s hits included "Mustang Sally" and "In the Midnight Hour," died today (Thursday, Jan. 19) of a heart attack in Virginia, his management reported. He was 64.

Pickett, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, began his music career in Detroit in 1962 as a member of the R&B group The Falcons before embarking on a solo career. In 1965, he joined forces with legendary producer Jerry Wexler and the Memphis-based Stax Records, where he recorded his most famous hits.

Although he had no more hits in recent decades, he continued to perform on a regular basis, and only stopped touring when he first began suffering health problems last year, according to his manager, Margo Lewis.

Following his father's death, Michael Wilson Pickett, the fourth of the singer's six children, told reporters: "He did his part. It was a great ride, a great trip, I loved him and I'm sure he was well-loved, and I just hope that he's given his props."

-- The ARTISTdirect Staff
01.19.06