It was announced late Monday night that Grammy-nominated 80s R&B singer Freddie Jackson passed away at the age of 70. Jackson was born and raised in Harlem, where he learned all about soul music and sang gospel at White Rock Baptist Church.
Jackson started his career in the New York club scene, eventually making his way out West with the band Mystic Merlin in the late ‘70s. He soon returned to New York and released his debut album, “Rock Me Tonight,” in 1985. His distinctive voice proved to be his superpower: The album was quickly certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, and it also led to his two career Grammy nominations. Those were for Best New Artist and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for the single “You Are My Lady.”
“Rock Me Tonight” also created a new R&B superstar: Jackson became a mainstay of those Billboard charts and a fixture of contemporary urban radio play throughout the ’80s and early ’90s.
His sophomore album, 1987’s “Just Like the First Time,” was also certified platinum.
A statement shared by his family on his official Instagram account confirmed Jackson died Monday, three days after his 70th birthday. No cause of death was provided.
“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. For decades he gave us the songs that became the soundtrack to our love stories, our celebrations, and our most treasured memories. That gift will live on forever,” the statement read.
“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,” it continued.
In 2024, Jackson revealed he had been diagnosed with kidney disease, saying in a post to social media that “this journey has had its challenges, but I’ve decided to face it with openness and resilience.” Kidney disease can lead to a slow loss of kidney function, and treatment focuses on slowing the damage, the Mayo Clinic explained.
