Born Frederick Anthony Jackson in Harlem on October 2, 1957.
Freddie Jackson died Monday night, October 5, according to an announcement shared through his verified Instagram account the following day. A cause of death was not disclosed. His passing came three days after his 69th birthday.
In 2024, Jackson publicly revealed he was living with kidney disease. His family did not indicate whether his illness was connected to his death.
Jackson began his professional career in the late 1970s and performed with the funk group Mystic Merlin before embarking on a solo career. His breakthrough arrived in 1985 with his debut album, Rock Me Tonight, beginning a run that made him one of R&B’s leading male vocalists during the decade.
“Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)” spent six weeks atop Billboard’s R&B chart, while “You Are My Lady” also reached No. 1 and became his biggest crossover success, peaking at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album eventually earned platinum certification.
Jackson followed his debut with Just Like the First Time in 1986, another platinum release. The album produced several major singles, including “Tasty Love,” “Have You Ever Loved Somebody” and “Jam Tonight,” all of which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B chart.
His duet with Melba Moore, “A Little Bit More,” also topped the chart.
Fans around the country mourn the loss of this R&B Treasure. R.I.P. Freddie Jackson. Your music lives on.
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