For years, it has been known as Cottage Grove Street but, starting on Saturday, August 26, the Highland Park, MI road will be known as Jackie Wilson Lane.
Wilson was born in the Highland Park area of Detroit on June 9, 1934, growing up in the rough area of the city where, as a teen, he was a member of gangs. After two stints in the Lansing Corrections system and a time boxing, he finally found his calling in music.
Jackie went on to one of the great soul music careers of the late-50’s and 60’s, scoring sixteen top ten R&B hits, thirteen of which crossed over to the pop top twenty including Lonely Teardrops, Night, Alone at Last, Baby Workout and (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher. His four octave voice and tremendous stage presence brought him the label of Mr. Excitement.
A special ceremony will be held on August 26 with special guests Mary Wilson, Rance Allen, the Contours and guitarist Billy Davis.
Wilson died on January 21, 1984, over eight years after collapsing on stage while performing and going into a coma.
