Chillicothe High School Alumni
Chillicothe, Ohio (OH)
Nancy Wilson
Grammy award-winning artist who performed hit song "Guess Who I Saw Today"
What is Nancy Wilson known for?
Nancy Sue Wilson, born on February 20, 1937, in Chillicothe, Ohio, was an American singer renowned for her unique style. Her music career, which spanned over five decades from the mid-1950s to the early 2010s, was diverse, with contributions to genres like blues, jazz, R&B, pop, and soul. Her hit single "(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am" and her version of "Guess Who I Saw Today" were especially popular. Throughout her career, Nancy recorded more than 70 albums and was awarded three Grammy Awards.
Nancy started her singing journey in Chillicothe, developing her skills in church choirs. She performed locally during her high school years, winning talent contests and even hosting a local TV show. She pursued a B.A. in education at Ohio's Central State University. Later, she moved to New York, following the advice of Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, for better career opportunities. Within four weeks of her arrival, she got her first big break, securing a permanent gig at "The Blue Morocco" and a contract with Capitol Records.
Her talent in Rhythm and Blues was evident in her debut single, "Guess Who I Saw Today" and her first album, Like in Love. She collaborated with Adderley in 1962, producing a significant album in her career, "Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley." This partnership led to her national recognition with the hit R&B song, "Save Your Love For Me." Between 1964 and 1965, four of her albums hit the Top 10 on Billboard's Top LPs chart. Her most successful hit, "(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am", peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964.
Beyond her singing career, Nancy was also known for her television appearances, such as her guest role on the popular TV show Room 222 in the 1970s. Despite her passing on December 13, 2018, her legacy in the music industry remains impactful. Today, she is remembered as "Sweet Nancy", "The Baby", "Fancy Miss Nancy", and "The Girl With the Honey-Coated Voice".