Freddie Jackson was trained as a gospel singer before becoming one of R&B's biggest stars

Grammy-nominated R&B singer Freddie Jackson has died at the age of 70. Jackson died on Monday, just three days after his birthday. A statement shared on his Instagram account on Tuesday, Oct. 6. did not revealed the cause of death. Jackson was suffering from kidney disease. In 2024, he spoke about facing the diagnosis with openness and resilience.

"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 statement issued by 'The Freddie Jackson Family' read.

The statement added, "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 singer's family concluded by thanking his fans and asking them to keep his loved ones in their prayers. Details about funeral arrangements and plans to honor his legacy are expected to be shared later.

Freddie Jackson was trained as a gospel singer

Jackson was born and raised in Harlem, New York, and grew up watching performers such as James Brown and Aretha Franklin at the Apollo Theater. He sang at White Rock Baptist Church in Harlem, where he met Paul Laurence, who would later become his producer, songwriter and longtime collaborator.

Jackson later joined Laurence's group, the Laurence-Jones Ensemble, and began performing in New York's club scene. He also spent a brief period on the West Coast as the lead singer of the R&B band Mystic Merlin before returning to New York. His nightclub performances eventually caught the attention of singer Melba Moore. Jackson later sang backup for Moore and also recorded demos of Laurence's songs.

Jackson signed with Capitol Records in 1985 and released his debut album, Rock Me Tonight. The title track quickly became a major R&B hit, spending six weeks at No. 1 on the R&B chart. “You Are My Lady” followed and also topped the R&B chart, while reaching No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 — his highest-charting pop single.

Other songs from the album, including “He'll Never Love You (Like I Do)” and “Love Is Just a Touch Away,” also reached the R&B Top 10. The album itself topped the R&B album chart and went platinum.

Jackson followed it with *Just Like the First Time* in 1986. The album produced three more R&B No. 1 hits — “Tasty Love,” “Have You Ever Loved Somebody” and “Jam Tonight” — while “I Don't Want to Lose Your Love” reached No. 2.

His run continued with *Don't Let Love Slip Away* in 1988, which featured another R&B chart-topper, “Hey Lover,” as well as “Nice and Slow” and “Crazy (For Me).”

By the end of the 1980s, Jackson had established himself as one of the most successful R&B singers of the era.

Jackson was nominated for two Grammys

Jackson received two Grammy nominations in 1986. He was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “You Are My Lady.”

Although his biggest success came on the R&B charts, Jackson also had several crossover appearances on the Billboard Hot 100. His success continued into the early 1990s. The title track from his 1990 album 'Do Me Again' became another R&B No. 1, while “Main Course” reached No. 2.

Jackson left Capitol in late 1993 and signed with RCA. His first album for the label, Here It Is, was released in 1994. He later recorded for Scotti Brothers and released a series of independent albums, including Life After 30 (1999), It's Your Move (2004), Personal Reflections (2005), Transitions (2006), For You (2010), Love Signals (2018) and My First Love (2023).

Jackson also appeared on television, including The Golden Girls, and recorded a duet with Irene Cara for the soundtrack of the 1989 animated film All Dogs Go to Heaven.