Grammy nominee R & B singer Freddie Jackson, known for his smooth ’80s hits “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)” and “You Are My Lady,” has died. He was 70 years old.
A statement shared by his family on his official Instagram account confirmed Jackson died on Monday, three days after his 70th birthday. No cause of death was stated.
“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, celebrations, and most precious memories. This gift will live on forever,” the statement said.
“To everyone who sang, danced or felt something when Freddie took the stage: thank you. You were his family and he always carried your love with him,” she continued.
Details regarding the regulations will be announced in the coming days.
Jackson was born and raised in Harlem; Here she learned all about soul music and sang gospel at White Rock Baptist Church. He began his career in the New York club scene and eventually made his way West with the band Mystic Merlin in the late ’70s. He soon returned to New York and released his first album, “Rock Me Tonight” in 1985. Her distinctive voice proved to be her superpower: The album was quickly certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America and also led to two Grammy nominations in her career. These were for best new artist and best male R & B vocal performance for the single “You Are My Lady”.
Created a new R in “Rock Me Tonight” & B superstar: Jackson became a mainstay of the Billboard charts and a fixture of contemporary urban radio play in the ’80s and early ’90s.
His second album, “Just Like the First Time” in 1987, was also certified platinum.
Jackson announced in a video he shared on his social media accounts in 2024 that he was diagnosed with kidney disease.
“This journey had its challenges, but I decided to face it with openness and resilience,” he said in the clip. “It is important for me to share this with you not only as part of my personal story, but also as a way to make a positive difference.”
At that time, Jackson also announced that he was partnering with the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness of the disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 7 American adults have chronic kidney disease. 9 out of 10 people do not know that they have this disease.
Chronic kidney disease is a condition in which the kidneys become damaged and have difficulty filtering blood. As a result, excess waste and fluid remain and can lead to other health problems, such as heart disease.