Al Wilson

Allen LaMar Wilson (June 19, 1939 – April 21, 2008) was an American soul singer known for the million-selling number one hit "Show and Tell". He is also remembered for his Northern soul anthem, "The Snake".

Background Wilson was born in Meridian, Mississippi. Attending Kate Griffin Elementary, he showed little interest in education but performed in school plays, sang in talent shows and won first prize in a local art contest.

He began his career at the age of twelve leading his own spiritual quartet and singing in the church choir and performing covers of country and western hits. While he was in high school, Wilson and his family relocated to San Bernardino, California, where he worked three jobs as a mail carrier, a janitor, and an office clerk, in addition to teaching himself to play drums. After graduation he spent four years touring with Johnny Harris and the Statesmen, before joining the U.S. Navy and singing with an enlisted men's chorus. and performed at some local clubs.

Wilson's recording of "The Snake" was featured in a Lambrini advert in the UK, as well as in a Pennsylvania Rally by President Donald Trump.

Confusion For some time there has been speculation and discussion among some Northern soul collectors and enthusiasts that the single "Help Me", composed and produced by Johnny Northern and Ralph Bailey, arranged by Robert Banks, is not the same Al Wilson who recorded "The Snake". It is believed by some that this may be a completely different singer who happened to have the same name. The song was released on Wand Records in 1966. And Record World mentioned in the September 17, 1966 issue that the label's two newest releases were "Too Much Too Soon" by Shirley & Jesse, and "Help Me" by Al Wilson". The Soul Express website stated "the singer on this single is J.R. Bailey".

Due to the enthusiasm from the Northern soul crowd with the song, Wilson had to quickly learn the song and performed it at the Cleethorpes Northern soul Weekender where he was booked. He did inform the crowd that he was not the same Al Wilson who recorded this Northern soul favorite.

Death Wilson died on April 21, 2008, of kidney failure, in Fontana, California, at the age of 68. He was buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Riverside, California.

Discography Studio albums Year Album Chart positions Record label US USR&B CAN UK AUS 1967"Who Could Be Lovin' You" — — — — — —"Do What You Gotta Do" — 39 — 85 — 38 1968"The Snake" 27 32 — 38 41 — 1969"Poor Side of Town" 75 — — 54 — —"I Stand Accused" — — — — — —"Lodi" 67 — — 51 — — 1970"Mississippi Woman" — — — — — —"Bachelor Man" — — — — — 1971"I Hear You Knocking" — — — — — —"Falling (In Love with You)" — — — — — — 1972"Heavy Church" — — — — — —"Born on the Bayou" — — — — — — 1973"Show and Tell" 1 10 3 7 59 57 1974"Touch and Go" 57 23 43 74 — —"La La Peace Song" 30 19 — 45 — —"I Won't Last a Day Without You"/"Let Me Be the One" (medley) 70 18 39 — — — 1975"The Snake" — — — — 41 — 1976"I've Got a Feeling (We'll Be Seeing Each Other Again)" 29 3 38 63 — —"Baby I Want Your Body" — 28 — — — —"You Did It for Me" — — — — — — 1979"Count the Days" — 84 — — — —"Earthquake" — — — — — — "—" denotes the single failed to chart