According to legend, an Atlantic Records secretary giddily nicknamed Wilson Pickett “The Wicked”, and it’s obvious why. His persona was naughty, raw and oozed the dirtiest, sweatiest Southern funk. His raspy, mischievous growl, supported by either the mighty Stax house musicians Booker T & the MGs or the giants of Muscle Shoals, left behind a legacy of classic soul. Over a decade, Pickett laid down some of the greatest grooves of all time - “In the Midnight Hour”, “Land of 1,000 Dances” and “Mustang Sally”. Pickett’s voice was clearly a mixture of the best of both Little Richard and James Brown – all macho ecstasy with its screams, moans and hollers. The undeniable impact of his recordings was honored in 1991 with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Pickett died of a heart attack in January 2006.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame profile on Wilson Pickett
Rolling Stone tribute to Wilson Pickett
Soul Patrol profile of Pickett