Spanky Wilson

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

Biography Wilson was born in Philadelphia as Louella Wilson, and was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reputedly gaining the nickname "Spanky" as a result of the spankings she received from her father. 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. This was followed by the album Spankin' Brand New (1969), on which all the songs were written by Howlett Smith. She also appeared on nationally networked TV shows, and made her international debut in 1970 at the Rio de Janeiro Song Festival in Brazil.

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

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