Customer Reviews

Jackie Wilson: The Man, the Music, the Mob

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Tony Douglas' book, "Jackie Wilson:The Man, The Music, The Mob," far surpasses Mr. Douglas' talents. Mr. Douglas' book, "Jackie Wilson: Lonely Teardrops," was fantastic and now Mr. Douglas comes back with an even greater book. For the people who never knew Jackie they can now educate themselves on this exceptional man and find out why Jackie was, "Mr. Excitement." Mr. Douglas did years of research and has covered a lot of ground work. He has talked to the people that knew Jackie and loved him. This is an exceptional book taken from the heart of one man.

Mr. Douglas went a step further he spoke with one of the bravest woman of Jackie's life, Freda Wilson, Jackie's wife of 13 years. She sacrificed it all for Jackie to be a star. Jackie was the greatest R & B artist that ever lived and if he had survived he would have blown everyone away with his astonishing talent and charisma. He was the one and only, "Mr. Excitement."

As a self-admitted Jackie-phile, I have always been ho-hum concerning "new" writings about Jackie because it is usually information already known or totally biased to Jackie's good or bad side. Tony Douglas has managed to balance both sides of Jackie Wilson, letting the reader find the truth about Jackie's personal demons but in such a way that we are able to see from where and why the defects of character evolved, allowing us to have empathy for Jackie. The negative is balanced with insights to Jackie's better traits and always gives Jackie the respect he is due. I give the author great credit for not using any of the horrible pictures taken of Jackie during his long illness.
The author's research is extensive and factual when compared to interviews I have done with some of Jackie's old friends in the industry. The time the author took to locate so many sources and conduct inteviews is testament to his admiration of this great vocal artist, and yet he pulls no punches in presenting the truth. I would consider this a must read for Jackie's fans who are interested in a well-rounded account of Jackie's life, not to mention the truth about the entertainment industry and how artists like the legendary Jackie Wilson were used, cheated and manipulated. This book was well worth the price and is one I will read again.
Gloria Godwin

This book is unique. I've read books about Jackie LeRoy Wilson but this book by far is the best i've read. It cuts right to the chase and gives you information that's clear and not a run around. Also, gives you some pictures of Jackie that are in color. I recommend this book.

this book is fantastic! it takes you from the begining to the complicated insides of jackie`s world ,the payola scandals, the hurt`s the heartbreaks,and the overall insite to the man we call (MR.EXCITEMENT) it tells you about (NATHERAT)his manager,and his inside dealings with the mob,during those days you needed some kind of muscle to get you into certain places(IF YOU were black) but this book does`nt focus on color it focuses on the struggles
the addictions and the life of a beautiful person named "'JACK LEROY WILSON "you canhave it all and still be lonely "GOODBOOK!!'
MS.JACKIE TAYLOR THIS BOOK`S FOR YOU...P.S intersting photo`s also!(is this the same tony douglas,"LONELY TEARDROPS")

Sadly the musical genius of Jackie Wilson has been largely forgotten and rarely hear amongst the clutter of today's musical direction.

Jackie grew up in the mean streets of Detroit, but with roots in Mississippi. From the earliest years he sang - often on street corners. Through sheer guts he finally made the top charts having 24 Top 40 hits and 55 in the Top 100. An amazing achievement for a black artist of the 1950s-1960s.

He worked hard and played hard, marrying three times with innumerable "affairs". As a stage performer he was unsurpassed. He also recorded 28 albums ranging from the great standards, rock 'n'roll, gospel and blues where his roots lay.

Elvis Presley was a huge fan who took parts of Jackie's stage act. Elvis would see Jackie perform whenever possible and they became firm friends.

I had always loved Jackie despite never having had the opportunity to see him perform. In 1994 I set out to discover everything I possibly could about his life. In so doing I came to know and interview over 120 friends and family, discovering a complex personality.

Jackie was owned outright by the Mafia, was shot and nearly killed by a jealous girlfriend and died a pauper owing hundreds of thousands of dollars to the IRS. Today, had he not been striken by a heart attack, on stage, at age 41, he would have been a billionaire.

After his heart attack Jackie lingered between life and death for over eight years. He died in January 1984 without speaking or singing a word since being sticken.

This book highlights the life of this amazing man. It took me three years to research and write and I enjoyed every minute.

Pleas buy and read it and be amazed! The likes of Jackie Wilson will never happen again.

Singer Jackie Wilson was one of the finest singing talents of the century, but he suffered from chronic addictions and his career was controlled by the Mob. This biography of his life, work and achievements chronicles the accomplishments of a man who was buried in a paupers grave, yet at his peak achieved 24 top 40 hits in the U.S. An involving coverage of a talented yet tormented performer.

I've read everything that I could on Jackie Wilson.the Man was something else in His Prime but sadly hasn't gotten His Full Due as a Artist to me overall.The Man knew how to Rock a Stage&was in Groove.but there was the Business which was Controled then as it is now by Payola&Scandal&at the End of the Day the Artist that has brought so Much Joy to so many People is the last Person Paid&Respected.this Book Explores many Aspects of His Career&Life.Ups&downs.it's a Great Inside Reflection of the Business.Much Props to Tony Douglas.RIP Jackie Wilson.

Great Book on Jackie Wilson, but its something more about Jackie Wilson that no one has yet wrote about or talked about, there's more about him, about his problems, and his life that's not yet out, but hopefully one day someone will. Jackie Wilson is a great talent, better then Michael Jackson, if Jackie Wilson was entertaining in the 80s, 90s, and now, he would be too hot for tv, he would blow everyone away, he blew everyone away back then, but just imagine what he could do now, if he was alive.

I received the book last week and have read it cover to cover since then - an excellent source of information. By the time I got the book, the title had been changed to "Lonely Teardrops", but I can only guess as to why. Douglas makes the credible assertion that Tarnopol was also responsible for Wilson's death. In ten days' time, Tarnopol was to be tried for cheating his artists - the noly real witness would have been Wilson, who by now had fallen out with Tarnopol completely.

Wilson has just had a medical and been given a clean bill of health. Unusually, he has a meal before a performance - and during it, suffers a heart attack. He falls and concusses, and never comes out of the coma. Tarnopol meanwhile goes through his court case, appeals the verdicts and more or less gets off - though the legal costs eat up his money. The heartbreaking story ends with Tarnopol not even paying a visit to see Jackie during all the years he was in hospital, and leaving him so broke he was buried in a pauper's grave. What a story - an amazing man, and amazing book.

I have always loved Jackie Wilson, but I had no idea how crazy he was. He was indeed a character. This book is worth reading. You won't be able to put it down.