"It's my job to continue to inspire. I asked God to let me inspire others."

• Born Jan. 29, 1953, in Tulsa, Okla.
   
• Prior to emerging as a solo artist, Wilson was the frontman for the R&B/funk group the Gap Band, scoring hits such as "You Dropped A Bomb On Me" and "Early In The Morning." In 2003 Wilson landed his first Top 10 solo hit with "Beautiful," a collaboration with Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams. His 2005 album, Charlie Last Name: Wilson, hit No. 10 on the Billboard 200.
   
• Wilson received his first GRAMMY nomination with the Gap Band for 1983 for Best R&B Instrumental Performance for "Where Are We Going?" He received his first solo nomination for 1996 for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for "Stomp."
   
• Wilson chronicled his career journey in his 2015 best-selling autobiography, I Am Charlie Wilson.
   
• The R&B singer/songwriter serves as a national spokesman for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The Charlie Wilson Creativity Award was created in his name to recognize and fund researchers developing strategies to fight cancer.