Charlie Wilson Talks The Gap Band’s Name Origin On ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’
Charlie Wilson is celebrating his 71st birthday with the help of The Jennifer Hudson Show. The suave crooner and lead singer of The Gap Band sat with the EGOT winner during his appearance on Monday (Jan. 29) to discuss the group’s origin and meeting the likes of Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway during those early days.
When asked who came up with the name for the group, Wilson quipped that it was a collective effort of sorts. “We were called The Greenwood, Archer, and Pine Street band and we tried to put it on a poster,” he reflected. Ultimately, they abbreviated the name, but an error lead to the poster reading “GAP” instead of “G.A.P.” Wilson noted in a smooth tone, “And I added the ‘band’ to it.” That was that.
The band of brothers were preacher’s kids and weren’t allowed to listen to secular music at home. However, Wilson admittedly snuck away to listen to the “blues,” which for him meant Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, and Donny Hathaway.
Later in the segment, Hudson presented Wilson with the Legend Award before serenading him with a birthday song. He joked that he’d been “waiting a long time” to get on her stage and mentioned that he hopes she’ll have 25 seasons of The Jennifer Hudson Show.
The “Outstanding” singer also spoke on his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His manager, Michael Paran, surprised him with the announcement and he “fell to his knees, tears were just running.” Wilson recalled once being a homeless addict on the very street where his star now resides. However, thanks to his wife and God, he’s grateful for nearly 30 years of sobriety.
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