Grammy-nominated R&B singer Freddie Jackson, famed for hits such as You Are My Lady and Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake), has died at the age of 70. His family announced his death on Monday night (October 5), remembering him as a "legendary voice".
Family tribute and career highlights
Freddie's family announced with "profound sadness and heavy hearts" that their "beloved" Freddie had died. The post on Instagram, soundtracked to Freddie's 2023 song Complicated, read: "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. 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."
The post asked fans to keep Jackson's family, friends and loved ones in their prayers. It added: "Details regarding arrangements and how to honor his legacy will be shared in the coming days." It concluded: "Rest in peace, Freddie. Your legacy and your voice will live on forever."
Industry tributes and health battle
Singer Kathy Sledge, who shot to fame alongside her sisters in Sister Sledge, wrote: "Heartbreaking news!!! Rest in paradise, Freddie." Actor and singer Palmer Williams Jr also paid tribute, writing: "I was just singing along to one of his songs I used to sing back in the day when I was in a club band. I used to get nervous every time I sang it because he was such an amazing voice that some of those notes made me nervous. I met him one time in New York at the Apollo and he was so nice. I knew I had met a legend that day."
Freddie revealed in 2024 he had been diagnosed with kidney disease, saying that he would be facing it with "openness and resilience". He wished to make a "positive difference" by sharing his story and had partnered with the National Kidney Foundation at the time in a bid to raise awareness of the disease.
Musical legacy
The NHS describes chronic kidney disease (CKD) as a long-term condition where your kidneys do not work as well as they should to filter waste and excess fluid from your blood, which can lead to other health issues such as heart disease.
Freddie was trained as a gospel singer in his youth at the White Rock Baptist Church in Harlem, where he was raised. He joined the group Mystic Merlin in the 1970s, where he sang lead and released three studio albums.
He released his debut album Rock Me Tonight in 1985, and quickly became known for his distinctive and soulful voice, with the record becoming certified platinum and leading to his two Grammy nominations. His 1987 follow-up Just Like The First Time was also certified platinum, and he achieved chart success in the US throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.
