PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC PARTNERS WITH THE ESTATE OF WILSON PICKETT

PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC PARTNERS WITH THE ESTATE OF WILSON PICKETT

TERMS OF THE DEAL WILL SEE THE PUBLISHER PARTNER WITH HIS ESTATE ON THE ICONIC SINGER’S MUSIC CATALOG, AS WELL AS NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS

INCLUDED IN THE PARTNERSHIP ARE SOME OF PICKETT’S MOST LEGENDARY HITS SUCH AS “IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR,” “MUSTANG SALLY,” “LAND OF A THOUSAND DANCES,” AND MORE

“On incomparable singles such as ‘In the Midnight Hour’ and ‘Mustang Sally,’ he established himself as an indomitable presence during the heyday of Sixties soul.”

–Rolling Stone

“One of the legends of soul, Wilson Pickett had a voice so big it could out-bellow a full-on horn section and still convey an emotional fragility.”

–BBC

“Wilson Pickett was one of the male singers who defined 1960s soul”

–NPR

New York, NY (September 2, 2026) – Primary Wave Music, the leading independent publisher of iconic and legendary music in the world, has announced today its partnership with the estate of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, the legendary Wilson Pickett. The partnership will see Primary Wave work alongside the estate on Pickett’s chart-topping music publishing catalog, as well as share in his name, image, and likeness rights. Access to Primary Wave’s marketing team and publishing infrastructure will be provided to the estate, with both working closely on new marketing, branding, digital, and synch opportunities, as well as film & television projects.

Known as a major figure in the development of American soul music, Pickett recorded some of the most well-known and respected songs in the genre. His ground-breaking repertoire includes over 50 songs that made the U.S. R&B charts, many crossing over to the Billboard Hot 100. His impact in soul music can be heard throughout his music catalog which include hits like “In The Midnight Hour,” “Mustang Sally,” “Land of a Thousand Dances,” and more.

After initial success with the release of 1963’s “It’s Too Late”, also the name of Pickett’s debut album as a solo artist, the singer moved to Atlantic Records where he would release some of his biggest hits including his third single for the label, “In The Midnight Hour.” The song was released as a single in 1965 and shot to number one on the R&B charts, while also soaring to 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. It would go on to sell more than a million copies and would receive a Grammy nomination for “Best Rhythm & Blues Recording”. In 1988, his rerecord was nominated for “Male R&B Vocal Performance.” The song has since been included on a number of “best of” lists including Rolling Stone’s ”500 Greatest Songs of All Time” and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll, as well as being inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2017.

Pickett’s next major hit would be his version of “Mustang Sally”. Released in 1966, the song hit number six on the R&B charts and shot to number 23 on the Hot 100. Wilson’s recording of the song is thought of as the most well-known and popular rendition of “Mustang Sally” and, in 2000, the single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. 1966 also saw the release of “Land of a Thousand Dances” – another recording that is considered to be the best-known version of a track. The single became his third number one and his biggest pop hit ever, selling over a million copies. “Land of a Thousand Dances” saw new life two decades later when Pickett rerecorded it for the soundtrack of the 1988 Dan Aykroyd and John Candy film The Great Outdoors.

Over the course of his nearly five-decade long career, the five-time Grammy nominee was continually honored for his contributions to music which also includes songs he wrote for Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Booker T. & The MGs, Genesis, Los Lobos, Bruce Springsteen and more. In addition to his nomination to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, he was also honored with a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1993, inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2005, and in 2024 was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.

Wilson Pickett died of a heart attack on January 19, 2006, at 64 years of age.

Of the partnership, Max Pickett said “Promoting my brother’s incredible legacy has not just been a responsibility; it has been a labor of absolute love. Wilson poured his soul into every lyric, leaving us a musical inheritance that belongs to the world. Since his passing, it has been my sacred mission to ensure that his voice continues to echo for generations to come. I am profoundly grateful to partner with Primary Wave—stewards who truly understand the weight of his history and the timeless power of his sound. Together, we are keeping the Wicked Pickett’s fire burning bright.”

Primary Wave’s David Weitzman adds, “Primary Wave is honored to partner with Max Pickett and the Pickett family to help preserve and expand the legacy of one of the most influential artists in music history. Wilson Pickett was a once in a generation talent, an iconic soul singer, electrifying performer, and one of the defining voices of American music.” He goes on, “His remarkable body of work, created alongside legendary collaborators including Jerry Wexler, the Stax Records team, the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, and Gamble & Huff, helped shape the sound of soul and R&B for generations. We are proud to celebrate his extraordinary career and ensure that his legacy continues to reach new audiences for years to come.”

Listen to Wilson Pickett HERE.