Charlie Wilson Songs List:

Charlie Wilson – Uncle Charlie To Rappers

“When I come through this area now, I get all tensed up. A lot of people who sink that far into depression, drugs and street life don't come back. A lot of people I knew then are dead. You could still hear my records on the radio. People gave me drugs because they thought I was still on top. Nobody knew I was down and out” – Charlie Wilson

The Gap Years

Charlie Wilson was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and along with his brothers started The Gap Band. The band rose to superstar fame in the 70s and 80s with a string of platinum albums. The band started writing songs together and rose to fame after the release of the groundbreaking single “I Don’t Believe You Want to Get Up Dance (Oops)”. The band’s music was an up tempo grove of soul music with heavy dance and funk influences of the 70s. The dance music was equally balanced with very sentimental and ethereal love songs. The single was in fact from their fourth album which became somewhat of a funk anthem. The song even became an international hit charting in several European countries including Netherlands where it was a major hit single.

The Gap band continued their success with platinum selling albums and even scored four No.1 RnB hits. Charlie Wilson helped establish the careers of other artists in the 80s, most notably R Kelly. It was his powerful vocals which was the mainstay of the bands success.

The Dark Days

After the success of the band, Charlie Wilson developed a drug habit which would lead to huge loss in personal finances. Charlie Wilson would end up on the streets with no clothes and no money. Trying to get drugs by using his popularity; he checked into rehab and slowly started to turn his life around. Ushered by his wife, he started recording music again.

The Great Comeback

He revived the Gap band in the 90s and toured heavily establishing his lost recognition. In 2000 he released “Bridging the Gap” which peaked at No.152. His next album produced by R Kelly “Charlie, Last Name Wilson” was a major hit reaching No.10 on the US Billboard. It featured contemporary artists like Justin Timberlake and Will.I.Am.

After heavy touring and ensuring remaining sober and drug free he released “Uncle Charlie” in 2009, was his biggest chart success debut at No.2 on the US Billboard charts. The album featured the “There Goes My Baby” a classic love song which became his biggest solo hit. The album was even nominated for two Grammy awards.

• Did You Know: Charlie Wilson is called Uncle Wilson by rap superstar Snoop Dogg

• Did You Know: Charlie Wilson lost all his money due to a drug problem and ended up with no house and no clothes, sleeping on the streets

• Did You Know: The video for the song “There Goes My Baby” features Snoop Dogg and his wife Shante, shot in a documentary style featuring real footage of the two