Freddie Jackson, whose smooth tenor helped define a golden era of R&B, has died at 69, just days after celebrating his birthday.
Jackson died on 5 October, with news of his death announced by his family through his verified Instagram account the following day. No cause of death has been disclosed.
Born in Harlem on 2 October 1957, Jackson began singing in church before performing with Paul Laurence’s LJE and later joining funk band Mystic Merlin. He returned to New York and worked as a backing vocalist before signing with Capitol Records in 1985.
His debut single, ‘Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)’, topped the R&B chart and launched a hugely successful career. He followed it with hits including ‘You Are My Lady’, ‘Tasty Love’, ‘Jam Tonight’ and ‘Love Me Down’.
Between 1985 and 1992, Jackson scored 10 No. 1 R&B hits and earned two Grammy nominations in 1986. He also released four No. 1 R&B albums, including ‘Rock Me Tonight’ and ‘Just Like the First Time’.
Jackson continued recording and performing into the 2000s, releasing albums such as ‘Transitions’ and ‘For You’. His family remembered him as both an iconic singer and a warm, generous man who treasured his loved ones, music and fans.
