Photo: Getty Images
UPDATE: Jackson’s family has confirmed he was 69 at the time of his death. Previous reports listed his birth year as 1956.
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).
Jackson’s family announced his death Tuesday (October 6), saying he “went home to rest last night.”
“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Freddie Jackson,” the family said in a statement. “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.”
The family did not disclose a cause of death.
Jackson was born in Harlem on October 2, 1957, and began his professional music career in the late 1970s. According to his official website, he was trained as a gospel singer at White Rock Baptist Church in Harlem before joining the California-based R&B group Mystic Merlin.
He became one of the defining voices of romantic R&B in the 1980s. “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. His most recent album, My First Love, was released in 2023.
Reflecting on his legacy, Jackson’s family thanked the fans who supported him throughout his career.
“To everyone who ever sang along, danced, or felt something when Freddie took the stage: thank you,” the family said. “You were family to him, and he carried your love with him always.”
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