Freddie Jackson, the Grammy-nominated R&B singer behind chart-toppers like “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)” and “You Are My Lady,” died. He was seventy.
Jackson died on Monday, October 5, three days after his birthday, according to a statement posted on his Instagram account on Tuesday, October. 6. No cause of death was specified.
“With profound sadness and heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beloved Freddie Jackson, who went home to rest last night.🕊️,” the post read. “Freddie was not just a legendary voice. He was a kind, generous soul who adored his fans, family, friends, and music with all his heart. For decades, he provided us with songs that became the soundtrack to our love stories, celebrations, and most treasured memories. “That gift will last forever.”
The statement went on, “To everyone who ever sang along, danced, or felt something when Freddie took the stage, thank you. You were like family to him, and he carried your love with him always. Please pray for his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. Details about the arrangements and how to honor his legacy will be shared in the coming days.
The statement was signed by “the Freddie Jackson family,” and it concluded that Jackson’s legacy and voice would “live on forever.”
In 2024, the singer announced that he had been diagnosed with kidney disease, saying in a video that while his journey would be “challenging,” he hoped to “face it with openness and resilience.” He also worked with the National Kidney Foundation to increase awareness.
“It is important to me that I share this with you, not only as part of my personal story, but also to make a positive difference,” he said. “By taking this step, I am transforming my personal experience into a platform for increased understanding and advocacy. With your help, we can raise awareness and improve outcomes for everyone living with kidney disease.”
Who is Freddie Jackson?
Jackson was best known for dominating the R&B charts in the 1980s, with ten No.1 singles, including “Rock Me Tonight,” which topped the charts for six weeks in 1985. He also had seven crossover hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for two Grammys in 1986: Best New Artist and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “You Are My Lady.”
The star was born and raised in Harlem, where he grew up watching stars such as James Brown and Aretha Franklin perform at the legendary Apollo Theater.
He got his start singing gospel music at the White Rock Baptist Church, where he met future collaborator Paul Laurence.
“I grew up in Harlem, eating collard greens and fried chicken,” Jackson explained to the Los Angeles Times in 1988. “That is not a learned soul; it is not acquired in a singing school or by imitating what you hear on records. I live soulfully. That’s what you hear in my music, or the music of any other Black singer.”
He played in New York clubs before briefly moving to the West Coast to front the band Mystic Merlin. But he soon returned, even singing backup for Melba Moore, before releasing his debut album Rock Me Tonight in 1985.
Jackson has released several albums over the years, most recently in 2023. He also appeared on television shows such as The Golden Girls and performed a duet with Irene Cara on the soundtrack of the 1989 film All Dogs Go to Heaven.
In a 2009 interview, he stated, “You have to stay true to who you are and what you do, and where it falls, it will fall.” “My family has an old saying that whatever comes from the heart will touch and stay in the heart. And I believe that’s what my music has accomplished.”
