SATURDAY'S SINGLES : JACKIE WILSON and NAT KING COLE

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Good morning vinyl enthusiasts and welcome to the return of Saturday's Singles. It was on this day in 1961, that American soul singer and tenor, Jackie Wilson was shot in the stomach, resulting in the loss of a kidney. The original story went that Wilson's girlfriend was thrown into a fit of rage after he brought another woman home. Later Wilson said he did not know his assailant and she was a crazed fan. To commemorate this somewhat unorthodox date, we spotlight his 1960 Brunswick Records single, "Alone At Last". The tune, from his album, Sings the World's Greatest Melodies, reached # 8 on the Hot 100 , #11 in Australia, #20 on the U.S. R&B chart, and #50 on the UK Singles Chart. It's B-side is the track,  "Am I The Man" (#30 Hot 100, #10 R&B).  The performer, know as "Mr. Excitement" won two Grammy Awards and had over 50 singles on the charts during his career, died in 1984, age 49,  from complications of pneumonia.

The song was written by Johnny Lehmann , with vocals  by Jackie Wilson backed by  Dick Jacobs and His Orchestra.

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Our next selection comes to us via Nat King Cole, who passed away on this date in 1965. The 45 year old  vocalist, jazz pianist,  and actor succumbed to lung cancer, shortly after recording his L-O-V-E album. To honor his legacy, we present his 1951 Capitol Records hit, "Unforgettable". The song, from the album of the same name reached #14 on the Hot 100, #3 on the Adult Contemporary charts, #10 on the  R&B charts and #16 on the Cash Box. Our 45 has "Somewhere Along The Way" as it's B-side. 

Written by Irving Gordon

Nat King Cole – vocals 

The Nelson Riddle Orchestra - accompaniment

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