ABSTRACT
Wilson Pickett's biography and socioeconomic circumstances provide some context to his career evolution and major label debut. The search began immediately for material appropriate for a Wilson Pickett debut record. It would end with In the Midnight Hour, a 12-song compilation that charted on October 30, 1965, spent a total of six weeks in the Billboard limelight, and yielded two single hits as well. Writing the tune and singing lead in 1962, Wilson Pickett touched the Billboard charts briefly with The Falcons' 'I Found a Love'. One of the key players in Pickett's development was guitarist Steve Cropper. The insightful guitar player, arranger, and songwriter at the 926 East McLemore studios of Stax Records knew nothing about Wilson Pickett. As a debut, In the Midnight Hour personifies Pickett as an R&B artist and performer, and embodies the iconic Atlantic and Stax record labels, Memphis and the Soulsville sound.
