Legendary Grammy winning jazz singer Nancy Wilson passed away at her home in Pioneertown, Calif. late Thursday, her manager confirmed to the Associated Press. She was 81.
No cause of death was disclosed, but she was hospitalized in 2008 for a respiratory illness. Ms. Wilson retired from touring in 2011.
Her impressive career spanned 50 years. She was revered for her jazz/pop hits such as “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am”. Her golden vocals earned her the titles “grand diva of jazz”, “complete entertainer” and her personal favorite: “song stylist”.
She won three Grammy awards and recorded more than 70 albums over the course of her career. In 1986, she was dubbed the Global Entertainer of the Year by the World Conference of Mayors.
Wilson also enjoyed a successful career in television, film and radio, and she was featured in shows such as “Hawaii Five-O,” and “Police Story.”
She was married twice, first to drummer Kenny Dennis, whom she divorced in 1970, and then to Wiley Burton, who died in 2008.
She is survived by her daughters Samantha Burton and Cheryl Burton, son Kacy Dennis and her five grandchildren.
A family statement said no funeral service will be held, but her life will be celebrated at a memorial service in February, according to IBtimes.com.
Tributes poured in from around the world as fans took to social media to remember Ms. Wilson’s timeless music and to share photos of her.
But one fan, longtime SR reader Bird, remembered Wilson for her natural hair always pressed and laid to perfection.
Photo by Carlo Allegri/Getty Images
Talented, beautiful, classy, and lady like. RIP Ms. Wilson ???
? You’re so late getting home from the office
Did you miss your train?
Where you caught in the rain?
No, don’t bother to explain
Can I fix you a quick martini?
As a matter of fact
I’ll have one with you
For to tell you the truth
I’ve had quite a day too
Guess who I saw today, my dear ?
? My favorite Nancy Wilson song. In her smooth, elegant way, told him he was busted.
She is so pretty fly high my love ?
I thought that’s what I heard on the radio when I was leaving out this morning. Rip Nancy. ?
“I wish you bluebirds in the spring
To give your heart a song to sing
And then a kiss but more than this
I wish you love“-?? R.I.P
RIP LOVE
Oh Wow…what a Class Act…RIP Nancy
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6f58663e8334831c8a9a3957346ba7db23f0c9847ce3519443c39646c6b246c1.jpg
https://youtu.be/LUKxQfafkE0
???Loves this!
RIP! Classy Lady.
Oh dear may she rest in peace, I have a friend who’s aunt was roommates with Nancy back at Central State, they stayed in touch for years until her aunt passed away 5 years ago. Ohio Native!
May she Rest In Peace.
My favorite Christmas song by Nancy Wilson. Her voice was so rich and lush.
https://youtu.be/aKpX9_NtO8E
Ms. Nancy has always been one of my favorites. Reminded me of my beautiful grandma Liz (RIP), and an era of style, grace, class and sophistication that we’re sorely lacking today. Such a lovely voice. Rest comfortably, Beloved.
Familiar with all of her work through my dad. He was a jazz HEAD. RIP to her. This is getting extra sad all these greats leaving us.
This was my grandparents’ era…made me into a jazz head…very sad to hear of her passing.
ALL of it. RIP to Granny Liz too.
Rest In Peace to the exquisite Jazz Legend Ms. Nancy Wilson. I loved listening to her records on vinyl all through college. (Yes, I was the only girl on campus with a record player) Ms. Nancy Wilson, such a classy and beautiful elder sister to look up to.
What an honor to have known Ms. Wilson personally.
RIP Ms Nancy Wilson we grew up listening to her music.
My parents were fans.
Saturday mornings… her music played as we did our chores!
Fond memories.
So sophisticated and graceful! ?? R.I.P.
Rest easy Ms. Nancy
RIP, Soror!! ?
SMR:But one fan, longtime SR reader Bird, remembered Wilson for her natural hair always pressed and laid to perfection.
And here is another reason black people will always be last in this country.
Superficial bs like this.
One of my favorite episodes!!!!
What a classy lady! RIP Songbird.
Classy, beautiful woman. RIP Nancy Wilson
Thank U!
YesYes!!
RIP to this great legend.
Thank you for this!! RIP sweet lady
Such a wonderful person and wonderful life.
In addition to her music, Nancy Wilson was a HUGE style icon for black women of that era. Always in the black mags of the time talking about her fashions and her look overall. It was part of her packaging. Style includes hair. I dont think what Bird said is that far off base. Cant you just say RIP instead of ripping someone elses sentiments to shreds? THAT is why black people will always be last in this country. Damn salt at EVERYTHING. I swanny
RIP sweet lady. I am so sad to see so many of our Icons pass on.
R.I.P. Thanks for those comforting Days with Love and family.
So many memories…….Going to Macy’s(Famous & Barr) with grandma to get that Easter dress.
Thank you so much for your vocal styling Ms. Nancy Wilson. RIP.
My favorite Nancy Wilson songs are: Love Won’t Let Me Wait; I Can’t Make You Love Me; Do You Still Dream About Me; and Don’t Ask My Neighbors.
She will b missed. Rip.
“Don’t Ask My Neighbors” Another good one. I’m not sure this generation knows what great vocals are. Most of them have been fed on rap.
And bands have all but disappeared. Mint Condition is still out there.
RIP Ms. Wilson.
All the greats are leaving/have left us.
My young co worker had on a wig n l said she looked like donna summers. She said l dont know who she is. I almost hit thé floor. She had 2 goggle her.
I apologize for not being shallow like most black people but I stand by my statement.
We as a race spend too much time and money and focus too much attention on superficial stuff like appearance.
Black women should focus on building their self-esteem instead of buying Yakie.
Which is why she was praised. There is a thread on Pinetrest from years ago that basically said Nancy never wore a wig during a time a lot of women stars (Diana Ross and the whole Motown wave and PLENTY of others) WERE. Yaky aint start with THIS generation. it started with Nancy’s. Until you become a black woman…I dont expect you to get it. Be best.
Until I become a black woman?
Was that supposed to be some type of gay joke like turd tickler?
It’s funny that you responded to my post which tells me more about you than me.
A hit dog will hollar.
? Don’t ask my neighbors ? ?
I wonder if she really knew even after that?
“Love to love You Baby” was setting folk free back in the day.
So why are black women burning their hair and buying weave so they can aspire to the European ideal of beauty?
I am not the person with identity or self-image issues.
She probably didnt bcas she spends all her day face timing her broke azz couch boyfriend by thé breakroom everyday. I had 2 tell her she can step into my office n use one of my conférence rooms for privacy instead of the hallway in front of the breakroom where others can hear.
Rest up beautiful!
You’re right. Not a lot of real singers and vocalist out here nowadays.
You couldn’t tell me this wasn’t my Aunt when I was little. She was a beautiful and classy lady. RIP
Rest in peace Mrs Wilson. God bless her family
Until you become a black woman…no man up to and including a black one can tell US how to be black women. You brung up gay Roddy. Not I. I dont care who is in your bed…so why do you care what is on our heads? BLACK WOMEN? In re to your Yaky remarks. And please do NOTE I am natural AF. BUT I do reserve the right to wear MY hair anyway I want and I thank the Nancy’s of the world for showing us its OKAY to DO YOU naturally. Its not funny how I responded to you. WHAT IS FUNNY…is how you PICKED APART THE SENTIMENTS OF SOMEONE ELSE–AND STILL HAVE YET TO SAY RIP ABOUT THE DEAD WOMAN ON THIS POST.
Rest in Peace Ms. Wilson. Beautil lady and I still love that epsiode when you walk into Heathcliff and Clair’s basement SANGAN’!!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful
Ditto…
Nancy Wilson did not DO that. You are missing the whole entire point of Bird’s message. What weave did she wear? What European ideal of beauty did she aspire to? She didnt have self image issues over being black. she was a vocal and DECORATED civil rights activist. You are being so gatdamn STRANGE this morning. What is your deal today?
Nancy Wilson was the epitome of class and elegance.
??
Sandy such shade. U didnt say she was also on thé cosby show. She was lisa bonet mother in law n raven samone grandmother.
C’mon, Roderick. I don’t know why but you ruined the whole mood & tribute here over nonsense.
If black women wanted 2 b like white women when it comes 2 hair they would put lice in the hair after they put in the weave.
Gurl u betta give me some of that egg nog.
My condolences she was gorgeous.
She was Always Elegant!!!
THIS breaks my heart. She was always the epitome of sophistication and grace, to me. I loved the cadence of her speaking voice, almost as much as I loved her singing voice.
Oh nooo! I just saw her on the Parent Hood playing Jerri’s mom. RIP
Bite me and block me.
Adios!!
Oh God I wasn’t talking about her.
I was talking about the mindset of the damn poster which shows how shallow some black people are.
Learn some reading comprehension.
What an elegant beautiful and talented lady. Rest in peace
RIP to such a beautiful, elegant, gifted lady.
I’ve never blocked anyone but I will ignore you from now on. Take care, hon. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e69af370a485da25130ebcd8d9e3e2984ad7f1dd1cc81a587375c9a58a2093f9.jpg
“Guess Who I Saw Today”, is constantly in rotation on my ITunes!!
She was another brown skinned beauty and hero of mine!!
Nancy Wilson is everything that everyone says she was and yet seemed like so much more. The words “elegance” and “class” dont do justice to this lady. She was a fantastic singer and captivating performer. She was principled and dignified. She did not take her celebrity for granted — and from the beginning of her career in the 50s she was careful and conscientious about how she presented herself to the world. No drugs, no drama, no foolishness. A true lady. RIP
Aww man, i had just started listening to her on YouTube. She was a gorgeous lady with a lovely voice.
“I can’t make you love me if you don’t” was a favorite of mine. RIP gorgeous?
SAD! RIP…
Guess who l saw today was a classy version of a rhin line between love n hâte.
Rest well ladybug such class and elegance!
RIH Mrs. Wilson. She was a classy lady
This world is full of women. Nancy Wilson was a l-a-d-y… LADY. She was beauty, class, and elegance personified.
Never forget dad took me to see her perform at Blues Alley. My ass starts crying when she sung “I can’t make you love me” She was so elegant she engaged with the crowd.
I was just listening to her Christmas Album
Someone To Watch Over Me, The Very Thought Of You, You Can Hv Him, Now I hv to make sure I add That’s What I Want For Christmas. And her Christmas Album. I am done when she sings O Holy Night. She was classy. There will never be another voice like hers.
Damn if I could upvote your comment more than once. And the sad part is many today never get to hear what a real singer sounds like.
No when my cousin didn’t know what a CD was. And he was about to pass out when he saw a album and cassette tape. I felt so old he laughed so hard I was like Ok now sh!t ain’t that damn funny. .lol
I’m crying Hot lmao. I wasn’t on none this morning. Lmao
The ultimate classy jazzy diva. I can hear her singing, Face It Girl, It’s Over. Nancy will so suave and cool. Her speaking voice was as mellow as her jazz and she was also a good actress. There is some serious jamming in heaven!
I’m technically a milennial and I know the oldies. Sarrah Vaughn, Billy Holiday, Duke Ellington…
but what surprises me is that ppl of a certain age don’t know of great artists like Daniel Caesar, HER, Mac Ayres, Syd…. There will always be good music. You may have to search for it but it’s still being made.
I LUV HER & Daniel Caesar. The other two I don’t know.
Ok cool. Unfortunately, the real music is often overlooked. There’s an artist called HilIM that replied to HER songs. He’s cool too. There’s 11:11, Division, Summer Walker….
RIP to a class act. Godspeed!!
So grateful for Fancy Ms. Nancy, sultry, songbird extraordinaire.
Rise in Power with the Devine Creator!
R.I.P Ms. Wilson.
My all time favorite is…
https://youtu.be/HnxyIMTwqIM
L0l@ HIM! H.E.R. is really talented and reminds me of Prince while on the guitar. She got several Grammy noms this year. So I wish her the best.
DC is solid and should be around for a long time.
I’ll check out some of the others you mentioned.
Omg how did I miss this? RIP Ms. Wilson. Omg
Chante Moore did a great copy in homage to Nancy a few years back. Check it out
Yes, she did. I have her cover song too. ?