Freddie Jackson, R&B singer behind “Rock Me Tonight,” dies at 70
His 1985 Capitol debut went platinum and brought two Grammy nominations, according to AP.
Freddie Jackson, the R&B singer whose hits included “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)” and “You Are My Lady,” died on October 5 at age 70. The Associated Press reported that his family confirmed his death in a statement shared on his official Instagram account. AP said the statement did not give a cause of death.
From Harlem gospel to a platinum debut
Jackson was born in Harlem on October 2, 1956. His official biography says he sang gospel at White Rock Baptist Church, played New York clubs and spent part of the early 1980s on the West Coast with R&B band Mystic Merlin before returning to New York and signing with Capitol Records.
Capitol released his debut, “Rock Me Tonight,” in 1985. The title track spent six weeks at No. 1 on R&B charts, Jackson’s biography says; “You Are My Lady” followed as his second straight R&B chart-topper and peaked at No. 13 on pop charts. AP reported that the album went platinum and earned Jackson Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “You Are My Lady.”
Jackson continued recording after his Capitol run. His official biography lists later albums including “For You” (2010), “Love Signals” (2018) and “My First Love” (2023).
