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Bernie Wilson, Member of Classic Blue Notes Lineup, Dead at 64

Gems / Redferns

One of the last-standing members of the classic lineup for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, baritone vocalist Bernie Wilson, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 26. CNN reports that the 64-year-old Wilson died of "undisclosed medical complications" at a New Jersey hospital. As part of the Blue Notes, both with and without Harold Melvin -- and both before and after Teddy Pendergrass' membership -- Wilson helped define a commercially popular style of soul music often referred to as the Sound of Philadelphia or, simply, Philadelphia soul.

In 1972, under Melvin's leadership, the Blue Notes signed to Philadelphia International and, that September, released their self-titled debut album. Originally entitled 'I Miss You,' the album got a makeover following the massive success of its hit single, 'If You Don't Know Me By Now,' propelled, in part, by Pendergrass' career-making vocal.

After Pendergrass left the group in 1976 to pursue a solo career, the Blue Notes never fully recovered commercially. However they did have a few more successes in the late '70s and, after that, they continued, albeit intermittently, to record and perform until Melvin's death in 1997. Wilson toured with several breakaway groups featuring fellow members of previous Blue Note incarnations, well into the 1990s.

Pendergrass passed away in January of this year, following a long battle with colon cancer. With Wilson's death on Sunday, Lloyd Parks is the sole, remaining member of the Blue Notes' classic lineup from their Philadelphia International era.

Watch Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes perform 'If You Don't Know Me By Now' from a 1973 episode of 'Soul!' below.

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PatrioticPirate

DAMMIT we're losin' all the people who made REAL music. Entertanment was worth the effort at one time, and we're losing all these great stars. My heart goes out to Bernie Wilson's family, even though I still have a piece of gone with Teena Marie... Isaac Hayes... Barry White... Luther Vandross... Lena Horne... Michael Jackson... Johnny Carter... Man, someone better show some appreciation for what we got. RIP, Bernie Wilson...

December 29 2010 at 12:07 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Will

Altough I am saddened being that the Blue notes and Teddy P were my fav oldie groups, I am not surprised or shocked about his death. I ran into Loyd Parks, the last living member of the Blue Notes, one day in Sept 2009 on Gtown Ave in Philly,4-5 months before Teddy P's death. He told me that Bernie had lost a lot of weight,and the doctors were trying to find out why, him weighing only 110lbs, and in a nursing home,with mild dementia.Loyd said he visited him from time to time. So I knew from then,that Bernie may or may not have had long to live.

December 28 2010 at 11:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
doris

Teddy with a perm! lol. RIP Bernie wilson. One the most under appreciated bands of old school R&B.

December 28 2010 at 11:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to doris's comment
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December 28 2010 at 11:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Charles

Smooth and romantic, these dudes were sophisticated and suave

December 28 2010 at 11:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply