Adam Wade, TV pioneer and longtime Montclair resident, dies at age 87

Adam Wade, who had a string of Billboard Top 10 hits in the 1960s and appeared in many films, plays and TV productions, including as the first Black host of a TV game show, died in Montclair on July 7 at age 87.

His wife, Jeree Wade, a former singer and producer who was active in local theater productions with her husband, and until last year was a psychologist in town, said the cause was complications from Parkinson's disease.

Wade was born and raised in Pittsburgh and attended Virginia State University on a basketball scholarship, but dropped out after three years to work as a laboratory technician for Dr. Jonas Salk, the developer of the polio vaccine, at the University of Pittsburgh.

When he received an offer of a recording contract with Coed Records, he consulted Dr. Salk before pursuing his musical career, the New York Times reported at the time.

In 1960, he recorded three songs that hit the top of the Billboard charts: “Take Good Care of Her," “The Writing on the Wall," and “As if I Didn’t Know.” Over the years, he performed at the Copacabana nightclub, opening for Tony Bennett and the comedian Joe E. Lewis. He understudied for Ben Vereenon Broadway in "I'm Not Rappoport," and became the first African-American to host a game show, CBS's "Musical Chairs."

From 2007 to 2010, he played Ole Mister in the touring company of Broadway's "The Color Purple.”

Adam and Jeree Wade moved to Von Breeman Court in Montclair in 1989. They married earlier that year, just a few months after meeting at the club Sweetwaters, where Wade was singing and his future wife also sang.

In Montclair, the two became involved in local musical theater. For more than 25 years, they performed and produced through their theatrical company Songbirds Unlimited Productions. They collaborated with Trumpets Jazz Club, the 12 Miles West Theatre Company and Luna Stage in productions such as "Singing New Jersey," a vocal competition, and a musical revue, "Shades of Harlem.”

They also created an off-Broadway production called "On Kentucky Avenue," about the Atlantic City music scene, with the Westminster Arts Center in Bloomfield, which won six Audelco awards for excellence in Black theater. Last year, Wade was honored in Atlantic City for his work in the theater during Black history month.

The couple also spent several weeks each year performing on cruise ships and seeing the world. "It was wonderful; a great time in our lives," Jeree Wade said.

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One of the activities that gave him the most pleasure in recent years was in coaching a group of young women in basketball.

"He was a beautiful man, gentle and kind,” said his wife.

Though he had Parkinson's disease, which affected his memory, he learned to work around it. "But with the physical element of Parkinson's he just couldn't win, he couldn't make it through this last bout.

“Though he couldn't speak in his last days," she said, "He would smile at me and mouth the words, 'I love you.”

Gov. Phil Murphy remembered Wade, tweeting: "Saddened by the passing of talented musician, television pioneer, and Montclair resident Adam Wade. May he Rest in Peace."

They are survived by their son, Jamel, a documentary filmmaker; three children, Sheldon Wade, Patrice Johnson Wade and Michael Wade, from his marriage to Kay Wade, which ended in 1973; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Friday at Caggiano Funeral Home.

"The place was packed,” said Jeree Wade. “ It was a lovely testament to who he was."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Adam Wade, longtime Montclair resident, TV pioneer, dies at age 87