Al Wilson, 68, dies in San Bernardino

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April 23, 2008

By Steve Gillespie / managing editor The Meridian Star Wed Apr 23, 2008, 12:27 AM CDT

Meridian native and soul singer-songwriter Al Wilson died Monday of kidney failure at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Fontana, Calif.

Wilson, 68, of San Bernardino, Calif., had been diagnosed with prostate cancer according to a family member.

Best known for his 1974 chart-topper "Show and Tell," which spent one week at #1 on the Billboard singles chart, and was named Cashbox Magazine's Single of the Year.

Wilson's recording career began in the late 1960s. His first single was "The Snake," recorded for Johnny Rivers' Soul City Records label.

Wilson's nephew, Melvin Cole, also lives in San Bernardino, and is originally from Meridian. Cole is a performer and minister who is in Meridian this week.

During an interview Tuesday, Cole said Wilson was his first mentor.

"He was my friend, pretty much my best friend. He wasn't just my uncle," Cole said.

He described Wilson as a jolly person who would keep you laughing. He said he performed with Wilson a few times at family reunions.

"He was a heck of an entertainer — like James Brown — a perfectionist," Cole said.

Cole said Wilson moved to California in the 1950s, but he kept close ties through family in Meridian.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Wilson played in several groups before his recording career got off the ground, including Johnny "Legs" Harris and the Statesmen, the Jewels, the Rollers and an instrumental group, the Souls.

In 1999 Wilson was honored by the California State Assembly in recognition of the state's Juneteenth Holiday, for being a Freedom Fighter for Musical Arts along with fellow entertainers Joe Vincent and Rickey Ivie.

Some of Wilson's other songs include "Do What You Gotta Do," and "La, La Peace Song."

Wilson is survived by his wife, Patricia; a son, Tony Wilson; daughters, Alene Harris and Sharon Burley; a brother, Eddie Wilson; sisters, Lottie Ross, Ruby Conyers and Maebell Cole; and 13 grandchildren.

Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, at 10 a.m. at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in San Bernardino.

The Associated Press contributed to this article

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