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Freddie Jackson, R&B Legend, Dies at 69

4:15 PM ETConfirmed

Entertainment Desk

In Short: Freddie Jackson, known for hits like 'Rock Me Tonight' and 'You Are My Lady,' has died at 69, just days after his birthday.

Freddie Jackson, the R&B singer known for hits like 'Rock Me Tonight' and 'You Are My Lady,' died at 69 on Monday, October 5, just three days after his birthday on October 2. His family announced the news on Tuesday, October 6, through his verified Instagram account.

Jackson was born in Harlem, New York, on October 2, 1957, and began his professional music career in the late 1970s. He was trained as a gospel singer at White Rock Baptist Church in Harlem before joining the California-based R&B group Mystic Merlin.

His debut album, 'Rock Me Tonight,' released in 1985, went platinum and included the hit single 'Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake),' which topped the R&B charts. The album also featured 'You Are My Lady,' another chart-topping single.

Jackson's career spanned decades, with 35 entries on Billboard's R&B songs chart, 19 of which reached the top 10, and 10 that hit No. 1. He received two Grammy nominations in 1986 for Best New Artist and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for 'You Are My Lady.'

In 2024, Jackson revealed he had been diagnosed with kidney disease in a video shared to his social media accounts. He had partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness of the disease.

Jackson's family expressed their gratitude to his fans, saying, 'To everyone who ever sang along, danced, or felt something when Freddie took the stage: thank you. You were family to him, and he carried your love with him always.'

The family also thanked the fans for their support throughout his career, adding, 'Freddie was more than a legendary voice. He was a kind, generous soul who loved his fans, his family, his friends, and his music with everything he had.'

Details regarding funeral arrangements and how to honor his legacy will be shared in the coming days.

Background

What's confirmed

• “It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Freddie Jackson,” the family said in a statement.
• “To everyone who ever sang along, danced, or felt something when Freddie took the stage: thank you,” the family said.
• R&B singer Freddie Jackson, known for romantic hits including “You Are My Lady” and “Rock Me Tonight,” has died at 69, just three days after celebrating his birthday on Friday (October 2).
• “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)” and “You Are My Lady” both topped the R&B charts, while other hits included “Have You Ever Loved Somebody,” “Jam Tonight,” “Nice ’N’ Slow” and “Do Me Again.” Jackson continued to record and perform for decades.

What's still developing

• UPDATE: Jackson’s family has confirmed he was 69 at the time of his death.
• As a member of Laurence’s group LJE (Laurence Jones Ensemble), Jackson began playing clubs in New York before relocating west in the late ‘70s to join the California funk band Mystic Merlin.
• After returning to New York, Jackson reteamed with Laurence at Hush Productions, where he sang on demos and doing background vocals for Melba Moore, Evelyn “Champagne” King and Angela Bofill.
• FILE - Freddie Jackson attends a special screening of "The Magnificent Seven" in New York on Sept.
• FILE - Freddie Jackson attends "MJ: The Musical" Broadway opening night in New York on Feb.
• The Recording Academy lists two Grammy nominations in 1986: Best New Artist and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “You Are My Lady.” His career also included a duet with Irene Cara, “Love Survives,” for the 1989 animated film “All Dogs Go to Heaven.” Check back with Daily Voice for the latest updates.
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Sources

• BIN: Black Information Networklink
• Billboardlink
• Bozeman Daily Chroniclelink
• Daily Voicelink
• Deadlinelink
• FOX 5 DClink
• National News Desklink
• NewsOnelink
• Ottumwa Courierlink
• Rolling Stonelink
• TMZlink
• eonline.comlink
• Wikipedia — background on Rock Me Tonight link
• Wikipedia — background on You Are My Lady link
• WHO IS NEXT? — video link