Tulsa native Charlie Wilson overcomes homelessness, cancer to vie for two Grammys
Charlie Wilson (Associated Press photo)
Tulsa native Charlie Wilson of GAP Band fame recently sat down with the Associated Press to talk about the long, bumpy road of his life and career that has triumphantly led to the 2010 Grammy Awards. Read the uplifting interview by clicking here.
The Grammy Awards are airing live at 7 p.m. Sunday night on CBS. Wilson is nominated for two awards, for best R&B album for “Uncle Charlie” and best male R&B vocal performance for “There Goes My Baby.”
With the GAP Band, which also included his brothers Ronnie and Robert, Wilson shot to fame in the late ’70s and early ’80s as with hits like “Outstanding” and “You Dropped the Bomb on Me.”
But like so many other music stars, Wilson learned that fate is a fickle and often cruel friend. Wilson tells the AP that the band had a falling out with its manager in 1986, and that manager essentially blackballed them in the industry.
Financial problems and substance abuse eventually led to Wilson becoming homeless on the streets of Los Angeles from 1993 to ’95. Once he entered rehab, he got help from a social worker who not only became a force of change for him but also became his wife – Mahin Wilson.
Wilson credits Snoop Dogg and R. Kelly for helping him revive his career once he got clean. Kelly penned his 2005 comeback hit, “Charlie, Last Name Wilson” and produced the album of the same name, which went gold.
But Wilson’s burgeoning career was threatened again when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008. He was treated with radiation implants and able to release “Uncle Charlie” last year. The album debuted No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200. His single “There Goes My Baby” spent 10 weeks at the top spot on the Billboard R&B Adult Contemporary chart.
With all he’s been through, Wilson’s comeback is an impressive feat. I’ll definitely be rooting for him Sunday night.
Don’t forget to follow my live-blog of the Grammys starting at 7 p.m. Sunday. And stop by Target before the show to pick up free 3-D glasses for viewing the special 3-D tribute to the late Michael Jackson during the show.
-BAM
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