On Sunday, September 14, 1975, Jackie Wilson appeared at the Four Seasons Arena on Route 1 in Walpole, Massachusetts. Billed as a “1950s Oldies Revival” concert, the show offered a packed card including the Coasters, Skyliners, Five Satins, Cleftones, Arlene Smith & her Chantels, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Gary “U. S.” Bonds, and emcee, Bobby “Tossin’ and Turnin’” Lewis. An M&M Production organized and staged by Michael Minoie of nearby Westwood, the date would feature two performances, a 2:30 Matinee and an 8 PM show. Artists including Ray Charles, James Brown, and Sly and the Family Stone had previously played at the arena.
Jackie was booked through Banner Talent in New York, which negotiated a deal of $4,500 for the two shows. Jackie signed the contract himself on June 3, after Banner received a $500 deposit, which was followed a week later by a $400 binder. Jackie would provide his own musicians and instruments, including a trumpet player and his guitarist-musical director, Larry Blasingaine, while the producer would furnish the guitar and bass amps and drum kit. Tickets were priced at $8 and $5.
A consummate showman, “Mr. Excitement” opened his set with “That’s Why (I Love You So)”, followed by “To Be Loved”, “Higher and Higher”, and “Doggin’ Around”. The set concluded with an extended version of “Lonely Teardrops”, segueing into a medley of “If I Had A Hammer”, Stand By Me”, “Chain Gang”, and a soulful snippet of “My Way”. He performed for approximately 33 minutes. The evening performance was Jackie’s final completed show. Wilson’s next scheduled concert was two weeks later, at the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, NJ on September 29. During his set-ending performance of “Lonely Teardrops” that night, he suffered a massive heart attack and collapsed on stage. While he ultimately survived, the lack of oxygen flowing to his brain during the crisis resulted in severe and irreversible brain damage. He died in 1984 at age 49.
At the show in Walpole, Massachusetts, Boston disc jockey-concert host/producer-enthusiast and historian Little Walter DeVenne captured 13 minutes of Jackie’s last completed performance. His color film of “That’s Why”, “To Be Loved”, and the bulk of “Lonely Teardrops” remained in his personal archives for 45 years, with only a small snippet of footage being shared on television decades ago. Sadly, Walter died in 2021, and his films were feared lost or destroyed. Through the efforts of Walter’s friend and longtime disc jockey, Mike Bollea, many of these recordings have been preserved.
Through Mike’s generosity and a desire to see Walter’s historic films shared with fans and devotees of this music, the Little Walter’s Time Machine Official Archives series is proud to share this performance, remixed and synched by Todd Baptista, from the original source material. Copying, reuploading, distributing, selling, or any unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
