Freddie Jackson, R&B singer behind ‘Rock Me Tonight,’ dies at 70
publishers 44articles 47first reported 6 Oct, 18:15 UTCdeveloping since 7 Oct · 8 editions
Freddie Jackson, the American singer whose romantic ballads made him a leading R&B performer of the 1980s, died on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at age 70, his family announced on social media. No cause of death was given.
“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 said. “For decades he gave us the songs that became the soundtrack to our love stories, our celebrations and our most treasured memories.”
Raised in Harlem, New York, Jackson began singing gospel music at a local Baptist church before entering the city’s nightclub scene. He later performed with the soul group Mystic Merlin and worked as a backing singer for Melba Moore before signing as a solo artist.
Jackson released his debut album, *Rock Me Tonight*, in 1985. The platinum-selling record reached the US Top 10 and included “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)” and “You Are My Lady,” both of which reached the pop Top 20. “You Are My Lady” also brought him two Grammy nominations.
Over his career, Jackson earned 10 No. 1 R&B singles and four consecutive No. 1 albums on the R&B chart. He released 15 studio albums and continued recording after his chart success declined in the 1990s. In 2024, Jackson disclosed that he was living with kidney disease.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 2 articles, 2 with the publisher's own text; 2 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 12 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 44
- Source articles
- 47
- Given to the writer
- 2, 2 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 2
- This version written
- 12 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
Written by a language model from the sources above, then checked by a second model that may only cut, attribute or correct. How it works →