Frank Edward Wilson (December 5, 1940 – September 27, 2012) was an American songwriter, singer, and record producer for Motown Records.
Early life and education Wilson was born on December 5, 1940, in Houston, Texas, to James Wilson and Samanther Gibbs. Wilson attended Southern University in Baton Rouge but only for one year; he had participated in a civil rights protest and lost his scholarship in his sophomore year. While still in his teens, he moved to Los Angeles, California.
Career In 1963, Berry Gordy asked the producers Hal Davis and Marc Gordon to set up an office of Motown in Los Angeles. Wilson accepted an offer to join the team. In December 1963, "Stevie" by Patrice Holloway (V.I.P. 25001) was the first single released from the West Coast operation and featured Wilson in the songwriting credits. Asked by Gordy to re-locate to Detroit, Wilson went on to write and produce hit records for Brenda Holloway, Marvin Gaye, the Supremes, the Miracles, the Four Tops, the Temptations, Eddie Kendricks, and more. He became particularly important after Holland-Dozier-Holland left the company. Additionally, after leaving Motown, Wilson produced a gold disc earning album by Lenny Williams, former lead singer for Tower of Power, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., former members of the Fifth Dimension, Alton McClain & Destiny, New Birth and the Grammy nominated album, Motown Comes Home.
He also launched his own publishing firms, Traco Music and Specolite Music, Ascap and BMI companies. During the next four years, Wilson recorded, released and published more than 40 copyrighted compositions, including, "It Must Be Love", by Judy Wieder & John Footman, "Stares and Whispers" by Terry McFadden and John Footman, "Star Love" by Judy Wieder and John Footman, and "You Got Me Running" by Judy Wieder and Clay Drayton.
Earlier, Wilson had also tried his hand at being a recording artist himself, recording the single "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)" for release on the Motown subsidiary label 'Soul.' Supposedly 250 demo 45s were pressed, but by that time Wilson decided he would rather focus on producing and he had the demos trashed. Somehow at least two known copies survived, one of which fetched over £25,000 in May 2009. Because of the scarcity of the original single and the high quality of the music (it was one of the most popular records in the Northern soul movement), it is one of the rarest and most valuable records in historyPerrone, Pierre, "Frank Wilson: Motown writer and producer behind the world's rarest record" (obit)," The Independent, October 2, 2012 (along with other extremely rare records by such acts as Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, and the Five Sharps).
Wilson left Motown in 1976 and became a born again Christian. He became a minister, traveling and writing books with his wife Bunny Wilson, and was also involved in the production of gospel music. In 2004, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Vision International University in Ramona, California, and founded the New Dawn Christian Village in Los Angeles.
Books Wilson is the author of The Master Degree-Majoring in Your Marriage and Unmasking the Lone Ranger, a best seller for men. Both were published by Harvest House Publishers. He conducted Unmasking the Lone Ranger and Master's Degree seminars nationally and internationally based upon his books. Wilson has also appeared on numerous television talk shows including, Two on the Town, The Other Half, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Personal life His first marriage was to singer Barbara Jean Dedmon, who died in 1966. His second wife was Bunny Wilson; together they had four daughters including the author, Fawn Weaver. He also had one son from a prior relationship.
Wilson died on September 27, 2012, in Duarte, California, after a long battle with prostate cancer, at the age of 71.
Discography + Frank Wilson performancesYearTitleAlbum titleAlbum typeNotes1965Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)SingleL.P.Approx. only 250 demo 45s of the song were pressed 1966Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) / Sweeter As The Days Go ByL.P. 7"Soul Records1978Anatole1999Songs Of Dayspring (album)Songs Of DayspringAudio CDGospel album, Ava-Avalon Label Group2002"My Sugar Baby" A Cellarful of Motown! (various artists)Audio CDPreviously unreleased Motown Records recording, issued on album A Cellarful of Motown! (UK only)2016"My Sugar Baby" Northern Soul All-Nighter (various artists)Audio CD boxsetOn the album Northern Soul All-Nighter, various artists2016"I'll Be Satisfied"One Track Mind! (various artists)Audio CDKent Records UK. Previously Unreleased Motown recording cut in L.A. with the Wrecking Crew.
Songwriting and song production highlights
Albums + AlbumsYearAlbum production titleArtistNotes1967The Temptations in a Mellow MoodThe Temptations1968Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The TemptationsDiana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations1970New Ways but Love StaysThe Supremes1971TouchThe Supremes1977The Two of UsMarilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.Frank Wilson as album composer.1994Motown Comes HomeVarious artistsMotown Record Company
Singles + SinglesYearSongwriting titleArtist(s)Notes1963"Stevie"Patrice Holloway1965"Castles In the Sand"Stevie Wonder1965"Somebody Needs You"Ike & Tina TurnerCatalog number Loma 20151965"I'm So Thankful"Ikettes1965"Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)Frank Wilson1965"Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)"Chris Clark1966"Whole Lot Of Shakin' In My Heart (Since I Met You)"The Miracles1966"It's Easy to Fall in Love With a Guy Like You"Martha Reeves & the Vandellas1967"Just Look What You've Done"Brenda Holloway1967"You've Made Me So Very Happy" Brenda Holloway, later covered by Blood, Sweat & Tears1967"All I Need"The Temptations1967"I Can't Turn Around" The Marvelettes1967"Chained"Marvin Gaye1967"Every Now and Then"Marvin Gaye1968"All Because I Love You"The Isley Brothers1968"Love Child" Diana Ross & the Supremes1969"I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations1969"I'm Livin' in Shame" Diana Ross & the Supremes1970"Up the Ladder to the Roof"The Supremes1970"Everybody's Got The Right To Love" The Supremes1970"Still Water (Love)" Four Tops1970"Stoned Love"The Supremes1970"It's Time to Break Down" The Supremes1970"Bridge Over Troubled Water"The Supremes1971"It's the Way Nature Planned It" Four Tops1971"Nathan Jones"The Supremes1971"Touch"The SupremesMary Wilson shared vocals with lead singer Jean Terrell1971"This Is The Story"The Supremes1971"Here Comes The Sunrise" The SupremesWritten by Clifton Davis1971"Can I"Eddie Kendricks1972"If You Let Me" Eddie Kendricks1972"Girl You Need A Change of Mind"Eddie Kendricks1973"Love Train"The Supremes1973"Darling Come Back HomeEddie Kendricks1973"Keep on Truckin'"Eddie Kendricks1974"Boogie Down"Eddie Kendricks1975"Down to Love Town"The Originals1977"If I Didn't Have You"Lakeside1977"I'll Be There Knocking" Lakeside1977"It Must Be Love"Alton McClain and Destiny1977"Deeper" New Birth1977"Choosing You"Lenny Williams1977"Love Magnet"Freda Payne1978"Cause I Love You" Lenny Williams1978"Stares and Whispers"Renee Geyer1978"Be There in the Morning"Renee Geyer1978"You Got Me Running"Lenny Williams1978"When I'm Dancing" Lenny Williams2002"Lights, Camera, Action"Mr. Cheeks2006"Each Day Gets Better"John Legend2012"Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)"Angelica
References
External links [ All Music Guide]