Being Jackie Wilson

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BBC Radio 4 - Being Jackie Wilson

The extraordinary tale of Jackie Wilson and his impersonator, Bobby Brooks.

DJ Scarlett O’Malley has a life-long obsession with soul singer Jackie Wilson. She meets Bobby Brooks, a Jackie Wilson tribute act, and uncovers a strange and extraordinary tale.

Soul and rhythm and blues singer Jackie Wilson was a legendary artist and performer. Elvis Presley labelled himself ‘the white Jackie Wilson’ and Michael Jackson dedicated his 1984 Grammy for Thriller to Jackie in a heartfelt speech. 

DJ and presenter Scarlett O’Malley has also had a life-long obsession with Jackie Wilson. So when she discovered there was a Jackie Wilson tribute artist called Bobby Brooks she wanted to know more. How do you come to impersonate a legend like Jackie? She meets Bobby in New York and uncovers an extraordinary tale.

Bobby has been impersonating Jackie Wilson since the 1990s. He grew up in foster care, a poorly, sick child. He never knew his mum or dad and his name was given to him by the state. As a young adult he joined the Navy and found himself in Hawaii. It was in a Karaoke bar one night, singing, that Bobby was first spotted by music producer Peter Hernandez. He was persuaded to sing with Peter’s doo-wop group the Love Notes. 

Over the next few years people would often comment that he looked just like Jackie Wilson. On the advice of another music producer, Bobby began to sing and perform the odd Jackie number and eventually he was persuaded to try a full impersonation. His career took off. People adored him being Jackie Wilson.

It was during a Legends in Concert tour in Atlantic City that Bobby met Motown’s The Four Tops, and discovered something extraordinary that would change his life forever.

With interviews from soul singers Bettye Lavette and Michael Lizzmore aka Blasé, vocal coach and singer Johnny Valentine, and Blues and Soul founder John Abbey. 

Presenter/producer Scarlett O’Malley
A Little Cactus production for BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Being Jackie Wilson

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