Today’s classic song of the day was released as a single in August of 1973. The song is “Show and Tell” and the artist is R&B singer Al Wilson. This sweet soul song went all the way to #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, and #10 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart.
“Show and Tell” was written by Jerry Fuller, who wrote songs for Ricky Nelson (“Travelin’ Man”), Gary Puckett and the Union Gap (“Young Girl,” “Lady Willpower,” and “Over You“), and others. He was also a producer a number of artists, including Mr. Puckett and the Union Gap, Mark Lindsay, and O.C. Smith.
Al Wilson, whom I often confused with fellow soul singer Al Green (I’m really bad with names), hailed from Meridian, Mississippi. He began his singing career at the age of twelve, singing in his own spiritual quartet. He and his family relocated to San Bernadino, California, when he was in high school; after graduation, he played drums for Johnny Harris and the Statemen. After two years in the military, he joined R&B group the Jewels, then the Rollers, then the Souls. Johnny Rivers signed him to a solo contract with his Soul City Records, and he had his first hit in 1968 with “The Snake.” He also had minor hits with covers of Jimmy Webb’s “Do What You Gotta Do,” CCR’s “Lodi,” and Johnny Rivers’ “Poor Side of Town.”
After disappearing from the music industry for a few years, Al Wilson made a big comeback with his recording of “Show and Tell.” He followed that up with some lesser-performing singles, including “The La-La Peace Song,” “I’ve Got a Feeling We’ll Be Seeing Each Other Again,” and “Count the Days.” He spent the rest of his life playing clubs and lounges, and passed away in 2008 of kidney failure. He was 68 years old.
For today’s daily bonus video of the day, here’s Al Wilson performing “Show and Tell” live on the March 1, 1974, episode of The Midnight Special. It’s just a game I play when I want to say, “I love you.”
