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Sad News Frank Wilson Has Died

Sad News Frank Wilson Has Died magazine cover

H B Barnum told me he had passed in the last hour or so.

Ady

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fw3.jpg

He was born to James Wilson and Samantha Gibbs. While still in his teens, he moved to Los Angeles, California.

In 1965, Berry Gordy asked the producers Hal Davis and Marc Gordon to set up an office of Motown in Los Angeles. Wilson accepted an offer to join the team. In December 1965, "Stevie" by Patrice Holloway (V.I.P. 25001) was the first single released from the West Coast operation and featured Wilson in the songwriting credits. Asked by Gordy to re-locate to Detroit, Wilson went on to write and produce hit records for Brenda Holloway, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, The Miracles, the Four Tops, The Temptations, Eddie Kendricks, and more. Additionally, after leaving Motown, Wilson produced a gold disc earning album by Lenny Williams, former lead singer for Tower of Power, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr, Alton McClain & Destiny, New Birth and the Grammy nominated album, Motown Comes Home.

He also launched his own publishing firms, Traco Music and Specolite Music, Ascap and BMI companies. During the next four years, Wilson recorded, released and published more than 40 copyrighted compositions, including, "It Must Be Love", "Stare and Whisper", "Star Love" and "You Got Me Running." Earlier, Wilson had also tried his hand at being a recording artist himself, recording the single “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)" for release on the Motown subsidiary label 'Soul.' Supposedly 250 demo 45s were pressed, but by that time Wilson decided he would rather focus on producing and he had the demos trashed. Somehow at least two known copies survived, one of which fetched over £25,000 in May 2009

Wilson left Motown in 1976 and became a born again Christian. He is now a minister, traveling and writing books with his wife Bunny Wilson, and is also involved in the production of gospel music as well. In 2004, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Vision International University in Ramona, California and founded the New Dawn Christian Village in Los Angeles.

Some of the books he has authored includes, The Master Degree-Majoring in Your Marriage and Unmasking the Lone Ranger, a best seller for men. Both were published by Harvest House Publishers. He conducted Unmasking the Lone Ranger and Master's Degree seminars nationally and internationally based upon his books. Wilson has also appeared on numerous television talk shows including, Two on the Town, The Other Half, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Wilson passed away on September 27, 2012 after a long battle with prostate cancer.

source

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Wilson_(musician




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Davenpete

Posted

Sad news indeed - he was a lovely chap, as well of course as being a production genius.

P&D

Peter99

Posted

Another musical legend departs.

Sad news indeed.

Alison H

Posted

Oh my gosh !! What a week it's been :(

Rest in Peace Mr Wilson

Sending love & comfort to his family & friends

Alison x

Agentsmith

Posted

truly one of the greatest songwriter/producers the world has ever known, an absolute colossus at motown with a phenomenal repetoire and the man who gave us possibly the most universally known northern soul anthem of all-time " do i love you"....for that frank, indeed we do....god rest your wonderful soul.

Epic

Posted

Sad news indeed - multi talented - thankyou for the music Sir - may you rest in peace & reflect on a job well done.

binsy

Posted

Really sad mate, so many great memories attributed to Frank.

Marc Forrest

Posted

RIP Frank Wilson...some hate it, some love it in public, some behind locked doors.Whatever the situation for everyone I am sure Do I Love You will forever be one of the definitions of a whole genre, scene.

Mickjay33

Posted

sad sad news another legend gone rip mr wilson

Goldsoul

Posted

A close friend who wrote the foreword to my book. He appeared for me at the Cala Gran Weekender in 2000 and performed in our Do I Love You karaoke competition at SoultripUSA 2004 in Los Angeles.

A master songwriter and producer, he had a wicked sense of humour who called Berry Gordy and handed me the phone.....the one moment in my career I will never forget.

God bless you Frank....

Kev

Agentsmith

Posted

RIP Frank Wilson...some hate it, some love it in public, some behind locked doors.Whatever the situation for everyone I am sure Do I Love You will forever be one of the definitions of a whole genre, scene.

in total agreement mark, a pivotal moment for the scene, a landmark discovery that has driven its own stellar value and its own feted storyline and, as is usually the case, the instigator knew not of its existance or subsequent popularity.....it could have been a film......bet frank's smiling thinking of that prospect!

Bigsoulman

Posted

A sad day, I too saw him at The Cala Gran in 2000 and he was the perfect gentleman

A wonderful talent.

RIP Frank

Dave Fleming

Posted

Sad news....R.I.P Frank..

Dave f...

Wiganer1

Posted

rip frank

imagine do i love you at stoke - what a tribute that could be!!!!

someones gotta play it - chris king i bet..

Tony Foster

Posted

Very sad news, R.I.P Frank, thank you for the memories.

Ian Parker

Posted

very sad . I'm off to listen to a certain intro , that culminates with a rim shot that would wake an army. what a record, what a producer and what a genius. RIP Frank Wilson

WendyTinley

Posted

Very sad... RIP Mr Wilson and thank you so very much for the music.

Joefromupnorth

Posted

Sad news.........great record he will always be remembered for but for me one that does'nt wear well from being overplayed,anyone like me just want to lock some records up and make everyone wait to hear them again,this would be one.

Nige Brown

Posted

RIP Frank Wilson.

REPECT

N x

Upthejunction

Posted

RIP Frank Wilson.

REPECT

N x

God Bless and R.I.P. Frank Wilson, you brought much to our scene

Steve

Guest Panda Pat

Posted

Will the angels -"Love You"-"Indeed they will" R.I.P .....^0^ xxx

Guest

Posted

frank wilson r. i. p. your music will live on with so many x

Iancsloft

Posted

Our thoughts & prayers are with Franks family and close friends at this sad time

A true legend in every sense brought so much joy to so many people with his wonderful music and outstanding talent.

Gone but forever in the hearts of so many

Ian Cunliffe & Jane Hamilton

Neil Rushton

Posted

Oh no, what terrible news.

A lovely man, was a privilege to sit down and listen to him talk, he had a great perspectve on life.

stevefrost

Posted

maybe overplayed but i guarantee we all slapped on a copy of Do I Love You when we saw the news.....looking forward to hearing the reception at Saturday's 100 Club anniversary.

thanks for the great music Frank, RIP

macca

Posted

Not a nice start to the weekend. So many milestone tracks under his belt at Motown, a man who has certainly left his mark on all of us. RIP Frank.

Wilxy

Posted

R.I.P Sir....

Philly

Posted

Really sad news .. Did we love him ... indeed we did :wub: rest in peace xxx

Winnie :-)

Posted

RIP Frank Wilson x

Peter McBride

Posted

Frank Was An Icon, wether we/he liked it or not. You'll live in our hearts . May you Rest in Peace. Your Music made a lot of people Happy. Your music made me Happy. Your music spread around the World Frank and Landed in the North West of England into the Souls of Many. Goodnight Lad and God Bless. X X X.

night nurse

Posted

sad loss did we love him indeed we did :(

Douglaschip

Posted

Sad day - imagine hearing do I love you again for the first time - great writer producer too - rest easy!

Guest allnightandy

Posted

Do we love you ? Indeed we do

R I P Mr Wilson !

Northern Soul Uk

Posted

I offer my condolences to Franks family and friends

He will be missed by more people than he could have ever imagined!

Guest eddiep

Posted

R. I. P. Frank Wilson....

The man's legacy will continue to be played around the world, and like it or not, "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)" is the pinacle of the Northern Soul scene musically and always will be.

Why?

Not because of the price tag for IT becoming the rarest soul 45 ever!

But because...

It was a magical moment in so many people's lives when they remember that feeling that surged through them when this was played and they heard it for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or more time.

It caused adrenalin to pump round the veins of young teens up and down the country and fight for space on the dance floors.

(It still does for many of today's middle aged people !)

It became the reason to get involved in the rare soul scene and turn us into the soul junkies we all are some 30 or 40+ years on.

It's worth noting that Frank Wilson also was more than someone who worked at Motown and in various roles in the music industry.

He branched out in his life and helped other's in more than just the musical sense and contributed in numerous ways to help people (of which if you take the time to look and do some homework) you'll discover the man's belief's no doubt guided his humanitarian path.

A talent many will miss. A human being the world will miss.

Even though I never met you I will never forget you for how you changed my life. Thank you Frank Wilson.

God bless...

Godzilla

Posted

Much more than his most famous record and that in no way detracts from the significance of that particular recording.

The band upstairs now have a producer.

RIP Frank.

Guest Carolina

Posted

Sad news...RIP Frank and very well put Eddiep

Guest giant

Posted

R.i.p Frank you are a legend and will be missed.

Hitsville Chalky

Posted

RIP frank wilson ....a true legend and do i love you love you indeed i do ..sir ...thank you for introducing myself to the soul which i listened to your track many many times ....all Elgins shows will be dedicated to yourself for the fantastic work and songs you gave our uk scene ...god bless frank.

Sean Hampsey

Posted

Sorry to hear this sad news. Frank passed away after a long battle with prostrate cancer.

So many magnificent pieces of work from this fantastic producer.

To hear him at his very best, take a moment to listen to the Four Tops 'Still Water' to hear a genius at work.

Seminal music that will live on forever.

RIP

Sean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-ToR5YyBdQ

Mark Jones

Posted

Night Frank and a big Northern Soul thank you from all of us.

Kris Holmes

Posted

sad news RIP, will have to play some FW this weekend

Tomangoes

Posted

R.I.P Sir....

Wow. In LA now and just read this. Met FW in 2004 at the Soul USA first trip and what an incredible experience to be in his company. Thanks for the memories and next time Im down at the New York Stadium and the are playing DILYIID, for sure it will bring a tear at this sad news.

Ed

Biggordy

Posted

I met him at briefly at the Cala Gran Weekender in 2000, said hello and shook his hand. I could tell in those two minutes alone that he was a top top man.

"Do I Love You" is my fiancee's favourite record of all time as well.

R.I.P. Frank and thanks for one of the greatest records ever.

Guest nubes

Posted

How sad ...how very sad...Do I Love You.....i can still remember that feeling when i heard it for the first time at Wigan's 6th...and the reaction it got from the dancefloor....be nice if it gets played out this weekend as a tribute....Delxxx

Wally Francis

Posted

Sad news, another legend passes over.

soulfulmick

Posted

RIP Frank A true legend who will be sorely missed.

Billywhizz

Posted

SAD NEWS, R,I,P FRANK WILSON

Rob Wigley

Posted

Another one of the "Old school" passes on..a fantastic songwriter and producer and leaving us with the rarest record our scene has ever known ! RIP Frank.

Guest SoulScooter

Posted

Sad news. I didn't know he'd co-writen Stoned Love. :thumbup:





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