Freddie Jackson, R&B Icon Known for ‘You Are My Lady,’ Dead at 69

Freddie Jackson, whose silky-smooth tenor glided its way to the top of the R&B songs chart with hits such as “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake),” the Grammy-nominated “You Are My Lady” and “Love Me Down,” has died. Jackson, who’d recently turned 69, died on Oct. 5. His death was announced Tuesday (Oct. 6) by the Freddie Jackson Family via his verified Instagram account. No cause of death was revealed.

“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Freddie Jackson, who went home to rest last night,” the statement read in part. “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. … To everyone who ever sang along, danced or felt something when Freddie took the stage: thank you.”

Born in Harlem, New York, on Oct. 2, 1957, Jackson began singing as a youth in his church choir. At that point in time, he met his later record producer and songwriting partner Paul Laurence. 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. Stepping out on his own, he hit his stride as a solo singer with Capitol Records in 1985 with the R&B No. 1 “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake),” which reached No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.

From there, Jackson churned out a string of 10 No. 1 R&B gems — as well as several top 10 singles — between 1985 and 1992. In addition to his aforementioned chart-toppers, those No. 1s include a feature on Moore’s “A Little Bit More,” “Tasty Love,” “Have You Ever Loved Somebody” and “Jam Tonight.” Among Jackson’s top 10 charters are “Love Is Just a Touch Away,” “I Don’t Want to Lose Your Love” and “All Over You,” the latter from the movie Def by Temptation.

All told, according to Luminate, Jackson logged 35 entries on Billboard’s R&B songs chart: 19 went top 10, and with 10 reigning at No. 1. On the albums front, Jackson scored four No. 1s on the R&B chart: Rock Me Tonight, Just Like the First Time, Don’t Let Love Slip Away and Do Me Again. He also earned a top 10 slot for Time for Love.

Jackson continued to record well into the 2000s (including 2006’s Transitions and 2010’s For You), and remained a popular concert and festival draw. His additional career credits include the 1989 soundtrack for the film All Dogs Go to Heaven (“Love Survives” with Irene Cara), an appearance as a singer on a 1989 episode of The Golden Girls (“Two Rode Together”) and a cameo in the 1990 movie King of New York.

According to the statement posted on Instagram, “Details regarding arrangements and how to honor his legacy will be shared in the coming days.”