Wilson, Nancy (1937–)

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Wilson, Nancy (1937–)

African-American song stylist and actress. Born Nancy Wilson, Feb 20, 1937, in Chillicothe, OH; m. Kenny Dennis (drummer), 1960 (div.); m. Wiley Burton (minister), 1970.

Began singing professionally at local clubs at 15; toured with Rusty Bryant Band (1956–59); moved to NY; signed with Capitol Records, recorded 5 albums (1960–62), including Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderly Quintet, which is now considered a classic; had 1st major hit with "Tell Me the Truth" (1963); won a Grammy Award for song "How Glad I Am" (1964); began appearing regularly on tv and starred on "The Nancy Wilson Show" (1967–68), which won an Emmy; also acted in such shows as "Hawaii Five-O," "I Spy," "Police Story" and "Room 222"; made over 60 albums, including With My Lover Beside Me (1991), Love, Nancy (1994), and If I Had My Way (1997). Received NAACP Image Award (1986), Whitney Young Award (1992), and Paul Robeson Humanitarian Award.

See also Women in World History.

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