Bernard Wilson of the Blue Notes dies
Written by admin on December 28, 2010 – 8:03 pm - |
Bernard Wilson of the legendary group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes died on December 26 aged 64. The baritone singer passed away at Kresson View Center in Voorhees, New Jersey, after suffering a stroke and a heart attack.
Wilson was a member of the first Blue Notes line-up in the 1950s, but the group went through a number of line-up changes and several record labels before the hit-making group was formed in the early 1970s. This featured Wilson, Harold Melvin, Lawrence Brown, Lloyd Parks and lead singer Teddy Pendergrass. |
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes’ breakthrough single was “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”, which hit number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. Other notable hits included “The Love I Lost”, “Bad Luck” and “Wake Up Everybody”. One of songs most identified with the group, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”, was not released on single in the US but did hit number six on the UK singles chart. Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes’ biggest selling album was “Wake Up Everybody” which hit number one on the US R&B album chart and went Platinum.
Bernard Wilson left Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes in 1977, but continued performing until a few years ago and was planning a return to gospel music, according to his cousin, Faith Peace-Mazzcua.
Wilson was the third former member of the Blue Notes to pass away in 2010. Teddy Pendergrass died in January and member of the original 1950s line-up, Roosevelt Brodie, died in July.
See also:
Teddy Pendergrass dies aged 59
Tags: Bernard Wilson, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
Posted in Obituaries, Soul |
One Comment to “Bernard Wilson of the Blue Notes dies”
January 2nd, 2011 at 6:15 am
The Bluenotes always carried a 4 peice band and four singers in 1963;we played the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas,and the Castways in Miami Fl., and Paradise Island Vergin Islands.
We were the original band members, Hank,Pudin, Charles Battles, and Arthur Grant jr on Sax. http://www.arthurgrantjr.com.
We will always remember Berney. Berney told me something that I will never forget over 40 years ago and now I know what he meant he said “I will see you in church Art” I hear he had planed to sing gospel after he recovered. Berney had made his spiritual transistion. I know he is with the lord.
Arthur Grant Former Bluenote.