Via Gail Parenteau PR and Brunswick Records:
Jody Watley will be a guest-of-honor at the posthumous presentation of Jackie Wilson’s Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame scheduled for September 4, 2019, at 11:30 am PDT. The event will be live-streamed exclusively on http://www.walkoffame.com
How Jody Watley became the Goddaughter of Jackie Wilson
It was divine intervention, literally! Rev. John E. Watley Jr. was the minister of his church in Chicago, ‘Miracle Temple,’ which drew the “in-crowd” and a who’s who from the world of entertainment. Rev. Watley was also a popular gospel music on-air radio personality and programmer on WVON and later in Kansas City, MO on KPRS. Her father called her “Princess Jody” and so did the church members. He had a theatrical and larger-than-life persona that attracted singers like Aretha Franklin, Sam Cook, and Johnny Taylor.
It was at church that the Reverend Watley met Jackie Wilson. Wilson and Watley became self-proclaimed “brothers” so much so that Jody always called the singer “Uncle Jackie.” Reverand Watley and his wife, also a singer in the church who gave up a professional career to raise Jody and her brother, considered Jackie part of the family. He joyously accepted his honor of being named Jody Watley’s Godfather, although Jody always called him “Uncle Jackie.”
The family relocated from Chicago to Durham, NC and it was there one evening, the family went to see Jackie Wilson perform. Rev. Watley knew his daughter was gifted and that she was preordained to become the talent that she is today. “My father passed away way too soon at age 49, but he told me from a young age I would be a star. He called me Princess,” Jody said.
When Jackie asked me to come on stage with him, at around age 8. “It was so exciting. I was dressed in the style of the day – – – a pretty skirt, Go-Go boots, and a chic mod ponytail” Jody recalled. “I think the song we did was “ Baby Work Out” and I remember singing and dancing with Jackie Wilson! I knew how to do the mashed potato and the twist!”
“Even at such a young age, I recognized Uncle Jackie’s charisma. He truly was truly someone special, definitely ‘Mr. Excitement!’ Another remembrance that stays with me is visceral — Jackie smelled so good, he really did smell amazing!”
“Jackie was truly Mr. Excitement in every way. When I was with him, I had that feeling I was in the presence of greatness. He embodied all of the talent and musicality and style that came before him. The star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a wonderful honor for my Godfather Jackie Wilson. I wish he could have gotten the recognition and his due before he died, but I am so glad his story is being revealed.”