Freddie Jackson, the velvet-voiced R&B singer who dominated the 1980s "quiet storm" era, has died at 70, his family announced Tuesday. Born in Harlem on October 2, 1956, Jackson died Monday night — just three days after his 70th birthday. No cause of death was announced; funeral arrangements will follow.
"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 family said in a statement posted to his official social media.
Jackson's breakthrough came with his 1985 Capitol debut, Rock Me Tonight, which went platinum. The title track spent six weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's R&B chart, and the follow-up "You Are My Lady" also topped the R&B chart while reaching No. 13 on the Hot 100 — his biggest pop crossover. Across his career he collected 10 No. 1 R&B singles, including "Have You Ever Loved Somebody," "Jam Tonight," "Tasty Love" and "Do Me Again," plus a duet with Melba Moore, "A Little Bit More." He earned two Grammy nominations and the 2019 Black Music Honors Legend Award.
Trained in gospel at White Rock Baptist Church in Harlem, Jackson began professionally with the funk band Mystic Merlin in the late 1970s and as a backing vocalist for Melba Moore before signing with Capitol. He remained active in later years, releasing Love Signals in 2018 and My First Love in 2023.
