Wilson Pickett, the Alabama-born soul singer who brought a raw groove and growling energy to 1960s R & B music, with hits such as “In the Midnight Hour” and “Mustang Sally,” died Thursday.

Which is to say, a gospel singer. I didn’t read Wilson Pickett’s obituary in the midnight hour. It was more like eight in the morning. This side of the world had sunlight on it.

Wilson Pickett, the soul pioneer best known for the fiery hits "Mustang Sally" and "In The Midnight Hour," died of a heart ... found the sound to back those lyrics. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG '6345789 ...