Friday, February 14, 2025, 9:40PM |  32°
MENU
Advertisement
Singer Charlie Wilson --
1
MORE

"Uncle" Charlie Wilson is here to entertain

Christian Lantry L

"Uncle" Charlie Wilson is here to entertain

Music Preview

His name is Charlie. Last name, Wilson.

In the 1980s, he was the lead singer of a funky trio of hit-making brothers from Oklahoma, known as The Gap Band. With his infectious vocals and the stellar musicianship of his brothers, Ronnie and Robert, the group turned songs such as "Early in the Morning," "Burn Rubber" and "Oops Upside Your Head" into party anthems.

While the music never stopped, the hits did. Charlie Wilson spiraled into a life of drugs and alcohol and eventually, homelessness -- a tale not unheard of for an entertainer, but shocking to fans when it was chronicled in USA Today last January.

Advertisement

By that time, however, the 57-year-old singer had made an arduous decade-long climb back to the top of the charts and was basking in the glow of two Grammy nominations. His 2004 comeback hit, "Charlie Last Name Wilson" and this year's Grammy-nominated single, "There Goes My Baby" from the Grammy-nominated CD, "Uncle Charlie," have introduced him to a new generation of fans who grew up on hip-hop and probably have heard more Gap Band samples than original songs.

Charlie Wilson

Where: Benedum Center

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Tickets: $48-$68; 412-456-6666

To them and the hip-hop entertainers who idolize him, he's known as "Uncle Charlie," a moniker bestowed upon him by one of his musical "nephews," Snoop Dogg.

Friday, in what's called the Classic Soul Music Festival, hip-hop's favorite uncle, brings his Vegas-style show with Gap Band and solo hits to the Benedum Center along with '70s and '80s funksters Con Funk Shun and Pittsburgh's own Artistree. The evening is being hosted by up-and-coming comedian Cool-Aide.

"We've taken R&B to a different level," said Mr. Wilson in a phone interview from Atlanta.

Advertisement

His show includes dancers, lots of lights, costume changes etc. "I've lifted the bar, I'm sorry. You can't just stand there. Let me just put it to you this way. I'm an entertainer and it's different than just standing there and singing. The stage is large and you can't just stand there on this large stage. A lot of people do, but that's not entertaining. We're bringing entertainment back into the game."

What he's also bringing back is that original Charlie Wilson sound, which in the late '80s and early '90s could be heard from vocal sound-alikes such as Aaron Hall of the New Jack Swing group, Guy.

"My style of singing never went out of style," Mr. Wilson said. "Reason is I was such an inspiration to a lot of younger singers coming up. I had to come back on the scene and prove to everybody who told me 'no' that I could do this again. I can still sing. That's the reason why I'm still here."

But it wasn't that easy. Even with his vocal prowess, past Gap Band hits and guest turns singing hooks on hit songs such as "Computer Love," Mr. Wilson withstood years of having doors shut in his face, even though he was clean and sober. The singer credits his wife, Mahin, with helping him get off drugs and alcohol and get his musical life in order. Still, it was a struggle and he got used to hearing lines such as, "No disrespect, man, I grew up on you, but you're kind of washed up right now, homie."

That was until the 2004 single "Charlie Last Name Wilson" written and produced by R. Kelly. Then folks came a calling, he said. By that time, he had signed with Jive Records.

Now, in addition to record labels, Mr. Wilson has writers beating down his door wanting to help him write his story of musical and spiritual redemption.

"There's so much more to this story that will make people just drop their jaw and say 'Oh, my you've got to be kidding me.' Many writers want to do the story, we're just trying to pick the right one," he said.

As if his story wasn't already compelling, Mr. Wilson is in remission from prostate cancer and is now a spokesman for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. He designed a line of fedoras, which he sells online and at concerts with a portion of the proceeds going to the foundation.

He said the lesson people should take from his life story is to never give up on your dreams.

"I don't care what you look like, I don't care how old you are. I don't care what you sound like. People told me that it will never, ever happen.

"We all fall down but we get up," he said, quoting the popular gospel song by Donnie McClurkin. "You can trust and believe in someone greater than yourself and you can win that way."

First Published: May 12, 2010, 8:00 a.m.

RELATED
Comments Disabled For This Story
Partners
Advertisement
Mark Sevco has been named president of Allegheny Health Network
1
business
Former UPMC executive joins Allegheny Health Network
Justin Fields #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on from the sideline in the second quarter of a game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on November 10, 2024, in Landover, Maryland.
2
sports
Analysis: Steelers could still find a franchise quarterback in Justin Fields, but he’d have to defy history
TSA officials display the proper way to transport a gun in checked luggage during a press conference at Pittsburgh International Airport Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025.
3
news
TSA intercepts loaded pink gun at Pittsburgh International Airport
Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) out of the pocket as he looks for an open receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game, against Mississippi State, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, in Oxford, Miss. Mississippi won 26-14.
4
sports
Steelers mock draft tracker: Time to talk QBs, including Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe
The Three Sisters’ bridges are suspended over the Allegheny River as the sun rises over Downtown and PNC Park on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
5
business
Millions in stadium upgrades approved for Steelers, Pirates and Penguins
Singer Charlie Wilson -- "I had to come back on the scene and prove to everybody who told me 'no' that I could do this again."  (Christian Lantry L)
Christian Lantry L
Advertisement
LATEST ae
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story