On this day: January 21, 1984

January 21, 1984 was a sad day in music history as Jackie Wilson passed away on this day after being in a coma for over eight years.

Wilson had collapsed on stage during a show of a heart attack and would never wake up again. He was just 50 years old.

Although he passed away young, his influence in the world of music cannot be denied. He had a huge impact on artists such as Elvis and Rod Stewart. He also had a string of hits including songs such as; Lonely Teardrops, Night/Doggin' Around, and (Your Love Keep Lifting Me) Higher and Higher.

Posthumously, Wilson enjoyed great success as well with a reissue of one of his biggest albums, Reet Petite topping the U.K. charts during Christmas of 1986

Other notable events for January 21:
-George Harrison married model/actress Patti Boyd on Jan. 21, 1966
-B.B. King donated his record collection to The University of Minnesota on Jan. 21, 1982
-Richie Havens was born Jan. 21, 1941