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{{short description|American soul, funk and jazz vocalist (born c. 1947)}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name = Spanky Wilson
| name = Spanky Wilson
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| landscape = yes
| landscape = yes
| background = solo_singer
| background = solo_singer
| birth_name =
| birth_name = Louella Wilson
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_place =[[Philadelphia]], United States
| birth_place =[[Philadelphia]], United States
| birth_date = c.1947
| birth_date = c.1947 (age 74-75)
| death_date =
| death_date =
| origin =
| origin =
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| past_members =
| past_members =
}}
}}

'''Spanky Wilson''' (born c. 1947)<ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=mDcDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA57&dq=%22spanky+wilson%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDcQ6AEwBWoVChMI472K05CsyAIVQU4aCh1BTAvY#v=onepage&q=%22spanky%20wilson%22&f=false "Unknown Singer Turns Boos To Cheers", ''Jet'', 26 November 1970, p.57]</ref> is an American [[Soul music|soul]], [[funk]] and [[jazz]] vocalist, who has performed internationally and recorded several albums since the late 1960s.
'''Louella''' "'''Spanky'''" '''Wilson''' (born c. 1947)<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=mDcDAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22spanky+wilson%22&pg=PA57 "Unknown Singer Turns Boos To Cheers", ''Jet'', 26 November 1970, p.57]</ref> is an American [[Soul music|soul]], [[funk]] and [[jazz]] vocalist, who has performed internationally and recorded several albums since the late 1960s.


==Biography==
==Biography==
She was born in [[Philadelphia]] as Louella Wilson,<ref>[https://musicalmemoirs.wordpress.com/2017/08/14/the-legendary-spanky-wilson-returns-to-los-angeles-her-personal-story/ The legendary Spanky Wilson returns to Los Angeles: Her personal story. ''Musical Memoirs's Blog'']. Retrieved 18 January 2019</ref> and was raised in [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]], reputedly gaining the nickname "Spanky" as a result of the spankings she received from her father.<ref name=allmusic>[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/spanky-wilson-mn0000006687/biography Biography by Marisa Brown, ''Allmusic.com'']. Retrieved 4 October 2015</ref> She started singing as a child and after an early marriage, began performing in clubs aged 17 with [[Stanley Turrentine]]. She was soon recruited by [[Jimmy McGriff]] for a national tour, which ended in 1967 in Los Angeles, California. There, she sang in clubs and was introduced to [[H. B. Barnum]], who invited her to record. She sang as a backing vocalist on records by [[Letta Mbulu]], [[O. C. Smith]], [[Lou Rawls]] and others, before releasing her first single, "The Last Day of Summer", produced by Barnum and released in early 1969.<ref name=spanky>[http://idigpgh.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/spanky-wilson-shes-always-spankin-brand.html "Spanky Wilson, She's Always Spankin' Brand New to Somebody", ''I Dig PGH'', 3 October 2011]. Retrieved 4 October 2015</ref> This was followed by the album ''Spankin' Brand New'' (1969), on which all the songs were written by [[Howlett Smith]].<ref name=spanky/> Wilson released several further singles on [[Mothers Records]], a label set up in Hollywood by [[Jay Ward]], and two more albums, ''Doin' It'' (1969) and ''Let It Be'' (1970).<ref name=discogs>[http://www.discogs.com/artist/47446-Spanky-Wilson Spanky Wilson discography, ''Discogs.com'']. Retrieved 4 October 2015</ref><ref>[http://www.discogs.com/label/104025-Mothers-Records-The-Snarf-Company Mothers Records & The Snarf Company, ''Discogs.com'']. Retrieved 4 October 2015</ref> She also appeared on nationally networked TV shows, and made her international debut in 1970 at the Rio de Janeiro Song Festival in Brazil.<ref name=spanky/><ref>[https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=pSkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA56&lpg=RA1-PA56&dq=Henry+%22spanky+wilson%22&source=bl&ots=yJBDfouCeF&sig=Ehowy6K-K6oI3Hr7KmBrBm__WVg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDAQ6AEwA2oVChMIioOjwYusyAIVAoUaCh2WaQYL#v=onepage&q=Henry%20%22spanky%20wilson%22&f=false Henry Johnston, "Rio Fifth Pop Festival", ''Billboard'', 7 November 1970, p.56]</ref>
Wilson was born in [[Philadelphia]] as Louella Wilson,<ref>[https://musicalmemoirs.wordpress.com/2017/08/14/the-legendary-spanky-wilson-returns-to-los-angeles-her-personal-story/ The legendary Spanky Wilson returns to Los Angeles: Her personal story. ''Musical Memoirs's Blog'']. Retrieved 18 January 2019</ref> and was raised in [[Pittsburgh]], [[Pennsylvania]], reputedly gaining the nickname "Spanky" as a result of the spankings she received from her father.<ref name=allmusic>[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/spanky-wilson-mn0000006687/biography Biography by Marisa Brown, ''Allmusic.com'']. Retrieved 4 October 2015</ref> Wilson started singing as a child and after an early marriage, began performing in clubs aged 17 with [[Stanley Turrentine]]. She was soon recruited by [[Jimmy McGriff]] for a national tour, which ended in 1967 in Los Angeles, California. There, she sang in clubs and was introduced to [[H. B. Barnum]], who invited her to record. Wilson sang as a backing vocalist on records by [[Letta Mbulu]], [[O. C. Smith]], [[Lou Rawls]] and others, before releasing her first single, "The Last Day of Summer", produced by Barnum and released in early 1969.<ref name=spanky>[http://idigpgh.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/spanky-wilson-shes-always-spankin-brand.html "Spanky Wilson, She's Always Spankin' Brand New to Somebody", ''I Dig PGH'', 3 October 2011]. Retrieved 4 October 2015</ref> This was followed by the album ''Spankin' Brand New'' (1969), on which all the songs were written by [[Howlett Smith]].<ref name=spanky/> Wilson released several further singles on [[Mothers Records]], a label set up in Hollywood by [[Jay Ward]], and two more albums, ''Doin' It'' (1969) and ''Let It Be'' (1970).<ref name=discogs>[http://www.discogs.com/artist/47446-Spanky-Wilson Spanky Wilson discography, ''Discogs.com'']. Retrieved 4 October 2015</ref><ref>[http://www.discogs.com/label/104025-Mothers-Records-The-Snarf-Company Mothers Records & The Snarf Company, ''Discogs.com'']. Retrieved 4 October 2015</ref> She also appeared on nationally networked TV shows, and made her international debut in 1970 at the Rio de Janeiro Song Festival in Brazil.<ref name=spanky/><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=pSkEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Henry+%22spanky+wilson%22&pg=RA1-PA56 Henry Johnston, "Rio Fifth Pop Festival", ''Billboard'', 7 November 1970, p.56]</ref>


She has shared the stage with soul and jazz musicians such as [[Marvin Gaye]], [[Sammy Davis Jr.]], organists Jimmy McGriff and [[Brother Jack McDuff]], cornetist [[Nat Adderley]], percussionist [[Willie Bobo]], [[Lalo Schifrin]] and [[Jimmy Smith (musician)|Jimmy Smith]].<ref name=allmusic/> In 1971 she moved to Detroit and sang in clubs before recording for Eastbound, a subsidiary of [[Westbound Records]].<ref name=spanky/> The 1974 single "Home" was again co-written by Howlett Smith, and Westbound released the album ''Specialty of the House'' the following year.<ref name=spanky/> She returned to live in Los Angeles, and performed in clubs there for several years, before moving to France in 1985 and re-marrying.<ref name=spanky/> During the late 1980s and 1990s, she performed mainly in France, Germany and other parts of Europe.<ref name=spanky/> In 2000, she released the album ''Things Are Getting Better'' with the Philippe Milanta Trio.<ref name=spanky/> About the same time, several compilations of her earlier recordings were released in Britain.<ref name=spanky/>
Wilson has shared the stage with soul and jazz musicians such as [[Marvin Gaye]], [[Sammy Davis Jr.]], organists Jimmy McGriff and [[Brother Jack McDuff]], cornetist [[Nat Adderley]], percussionist [[Willie Bobo]], [[Lalo Schifrin]] and [[Jimmy Smith (musician)|Jimmy Smith]].<ref name=allmusic/> In 1971 she moved to Detroit and sang in clubs before recording for Eastbound, a subsidiary of [[Westbound Records]].<ref name=spanky/> The 1974 single "Home" was again co-written by Howlett Smith, and Westbound released the album ''Specialty of the House'' the following year.<ref name=spanky/> She returned to live in Los Angeles, and performed in clubs there for several years, before moving to France in 1985 and re-marrying.<ref name=spanky/> During the late 1980s and 1990s, Wilson performed mainly in France, Germany and other parts of Europe.<ref name=spanky/> In 2000, she released the album ''Things Are Getting Better'' with the Philippe Milanta Trio.<ref name=spanky/> About the same time, several compilations of her earlier recordings were released in Britain.<ref name=spanky/>


In 2000, after she had returned to live in California, she was contacted by British DJ and record producer [[Will Holland]] of [[The Quantic Soul Orchestra]], and they began working together.<ref name=spanky/> They recorded several singles, and released the album ''I'm Thankful'' in 2006.<ref name=spanky/>
In 2000, after she had returned to live in California, Wilson was contacted by British DJ and record producer [[Will Holland]] of [[The Quantic Soul Orchestra]], and they began working together.<ref name=spanky/> They recorded several singles, and released the album ''I'm Thankful'' in 2006.<ref name=spanky/>


==Discography (partial)==
==Discography (partial)==
===Studio albums===
*''Spankin Brand New'', Mothers Records & The Snarf Company (1969)
*''Spankin' Brand New'', Mothers Records & The Snarf Company (1969)
*''Doin it'', Mothers Records & The Snarf Company (1969)<ref>Billboard - Volume 81 1969 "Superscope's initial product from H. B. Barnum will be the LP " Doin' It" by Spanky Wilson which originally came out on Barnum's Mothers label."</ref>
*''Doin it'', Mothers Records & The Snarf Company (1969)<ref>Billboard - Volume 81 1969 "Superscope's initial product from H. B. Barnum will be the LP " Doin' It" by Spanky Wilson which originally came out on Barnum's Mothers label."</ref>
*''Let It Be'', Mothers Records & The Snarf Company (1970)
*''Let It Be'', Mothers Records & The Snarf Company (1970)
Line 40: Line 43:
*''I'm Thankful'' with the Quantic Soul Orchestra, [[Tru Thoughts]] (2006)
*''I'm Thankful'' with the Quantic Soul Orchestra, [[Tru Thoughts]] (2006)
*''T.G.I.F "Thank God it's Funky"'' with Ruckus Roboticus, [[Dance or Die Records]] (2012)
*''T.G.I.F "Thank God it's Funky"'' with Ruckus Roboticus, [[Dance or Die Records]] (2012)
===Compilations===

*''The Westbound Years'', Westbound Records (2007)
'''With [[Teddy Edwards]]'''
'''With [[Teddy Edwards]]'''
*''[[La Villa: Live in Paris]]'' (Verve/Gitanes, 1993)
*''[[La Villa: Live in Paris]]'' (Verve/Gitanes, [[1993]])


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://a1artists.net/artists/spankywilson/bio.html Biography at a1artists.net]
*[http://a1artists.net/artists/spankywilson/bio.html Biography at a1artists.net]
*[http://www.quantic.org/releases.php?aj_go=more&id=1160526606&archive=&start_from=&ucat=5& Quantic website]
*[http://www.quantic.org/releases.php?aj_go=more&id=1160526606&archive=&start_from=&ucat=5& Quantic website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307030437/http://www.quantic.org/releases.php?aj_go=more&id=1160526606&archive=&start_from=&ucat=5& |date=2007-03-07 }}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4jDXcBMwQk Ruckus Roboticus & Spanky Wilson "T.G.I.F. (Thank God It's Funky)"]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4jDXcBMwQk Ruckus Roboticus & Spanky Wilson "T.G.I.F. (Thank God It's Funky)"]


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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American soul singers]]
[[Category:American soul singers]]
[[Category:Musicians from Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Musicians from Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Singers from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Singers from Pennsylvania]]

Latest revision as of 08:09, 28 May 2024

Spanky Wilson
Spanky Wilson with the Quantic Soul Orchestra, 2006
Spanky Wilson with the Quantic Soul Orchestra, 2006
Background information
Birth nameLouella Wilson
Bornc.1947 (age 74-75)
Philadelphia, United States
GenresJazz, funk
OccupationSinger
Years active1969-present

Louella "Spanky" Wilson (born c. 1947)[1] is an American soul, funk and jazz vocalist, who has performed internationally and recorded several albums since the late 1960s.

Biography

[edit]

Wilson was born in Philadelphia as Louella Wilson,[2] and was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reputedly gaining the nickname "Spanky" as a result of the spankings she received from her father.[3] Wilson started singing as a child and after an early marriage, began performing in clubs aged 17 with Stanley Turrentine. She was soon recruited by Jimmy McGriff for a national tour, which ended in 1967 in Los Angeles, California. There, she sang in clubs and was introduced to H. B. Barnum, who invited her to record. Wilson sang as a backing vocalist on records by Letta Mbulu, O. C. Smith, Lou Rawls and others, before releasing her first single, "The Last Day of Summer", produced by Barnum and released in early 1969.[4] This was followed by the album Spankin' Brand New (1969), on which all the songs were written by Howlett Smith.[4] Wilson released several further singles on Mothers Records, a label set up in Hollywood by Jay Ward, and two more albums, Doin' It (1969) and Let It Be (1970).[5][6] She also appeared on nationally networked TV shows, and made her international debut in 1970 at the Rio de Janeiro Song Festival in Brazil.[4][7]

Wilson has shared the stage with soul and jazz musicians such as Marvin Gaye, Sammy Davis Jr., organists Jimmy McGriff and Brother Jack McDuff, cornetist Nat Adderley, percussionist Willie Bobo, Lalo Schifrin and Jimmy Smith.[3] In 1971 she moved to Detroit and sang in clubs before recording for Eastbound, a subsidiary of Westbound Records.[4] The 1974 single "Home" was again co-written by Howlett Smith, and Westbound released the album Specialty of the House the following year.[4] She returned to live in Los Angeles, and performed in clubs there for several years, before moving to France in 1985 and re-marrying.[4] During the late 1980s and 1990s, Wilson performed mainly in France, Germany and other parts of Europe.[4] In 2000, she released the album Things Are Getting Better with the Philippe Milanta Trio.[4] About the same time, several compilations of her earlier recordings were released in Britain.[4]

In 2000, after she had returned to live in California, Wilson was contacted by British DJ and record producer Will Holland of The Quantic Soul Orchestra, and they began working together.[4] They recorded several singles, and released the album I'm Thankful in 2006.[4]

Discography (partial)

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
  • Spankin' Brand New, Mothers Records & The Snarf Company (1969)
  • Doin it, Mothers Records & The Snarf Company (1969)[8]
  • Let It Be, Mothers Records & The Snarf Company (1970)
  • Specialty of the House, 20th Century / Westbound Records (1975)
  • Singin and Swingin, Big Blue Records (1991)
  • Things are Getting Better, Jazz Aux Remparts (1999)
  • I'm Thankful with the Quantic Soul Orchestra, Tru Thoughts (2006)
  • T.G.I.F "Thank God it's Funky" with Ruckus Roboticus, Dance or Die Records (2012)

Compilations

[edit]
  • The Westbound Years, Westbound Records (2007)

With Teddy Edwards

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Unknown Singer Turns Boos To Cheers", Jet, 26 November 1970, p.57
  2. ^ The legendary Spanky Wilson returns to Los Angeles: Her personal story. Musical Memoirs's Blog. Retrieved 18 January 2019
  3. ^ a b Biography by Marisa Brown, Allmusic.com. Retrieved 4 October 2015
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Spanky Wilson, She's Always Spankin' Brand New to Somebody", I Dig PGH, 3 October 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2015
  5. ^ Spanky Wilson discography, Discogs.com. Retrieved 4 October 2015
  6. ^ Mothers Records & The Snarf Company, Discogs.com. Retrieved 4 October 2015
  7. ^ Henry Johnston, "Rio Fifth Pop Festival", Billboard, 7 November 1970, p.56
  8. ^ Billboard - Volume 81 1969 "Superscope's initial product from H. B. Barnum will be the LP " Doin' It" by Spanky Wilson which originally came out on Barnum's Mothers label."
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Spanky_Wilson&oldid=1226050794"