Singer, composer and soul music icon, the wicked Wilson Pickett came out of the Detroit churches and joined the infamous Falcons (including Mack Rice & Eddie Floyd). Pickett co-wrote and sang lead on their classic proto-soul tune "I Found A Love" from '59. He then wrote "If You Need Me", which became a big hit for Solomon Burke.
Starting in '65 he belted out some huge hits of his own. "In The Midnight Hour", a tune he was co-composer of, was recorded at Stax, "Land of 1000 Dances", "Mustang Sally", "Funky Broadway", "Hey Jude" (featuring Duane Allman) and "Don't Knock My Love" were all recorded at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals. He cut the funk monster "Engine No. 9" and "Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You" in Philly with Gamble & Huff in '70.
He coasted through the disco era and had a couple of minor hits into the '80s but primarily lived on his past glories. And glorious those great records were! It was a badge of honor to have the wicked one funk up your tune. And DJs to this day can get the dancefloor moving with some of his classic cuts.
One of my faves by the man, this burning psych-funk number:
"I Found A Love":