Grammy-nominated R&B soul singer Freddie Jackson has no doubt stood the test of time. His career spans nearly 30 years. And as he gears up to perform at the legendary New York nightclub Feinstein's at Loews Regency, BV Newswire caught up with what the 'Rock Me Tonight' singer to find out what he's been up to and his thoughts on the music business today.
His Feinstein's show, titled An Evening With Freddie Jackson: For Old Time's Sake, will kick off May 19. Getting Jackson to participate in the 10th anniversary season took a little bit of work, since he had not done a weekly show in over a decade.
"They've asked me to do it for the last four years, but I thought, 'Oh, God. That's too much work. I don't feel like working that hard,'" he quipped.
Luckily, some of his celebrity friends encouraged him to give it a try.
"The last performance I saw there was Ashford and Simpson, who I call my godparents in the industry. They did a live taping. It was such an incredible show, but as I told Val and Nick, 'It's two of you and only one of me.'"
Jackson, a former background singer for Melba Moore, is planning to mix some of his biggest records, like 'You Are My Lady' and 'Jam Tonight' with covers of songs by Nat King Cole, Norah Jones and the Spinners, to name a few.
For the past 10 years, he has concentrated on performing outside of the states and recently returned from sold-out concerts in South Africa, Jamaica and England. The Harlem native even wrote a cookbook titled 'Tasty Love.'
"A lot of people think that if they don't see you here, you're washed up, [but] you go to other places where you are appreciated and respected," the former Capitol Records crooner said. "In Europe, they treat me like a king, and I perform songs from my first album, and they sing along with them like they are brand-new records."
He told us that he is in the process of recording new music, but he assures his fans that at 50, he isn't "tryin to come back as Ne-Yo or Usher," because, as he says, "I am Freddie Jackson."
R-n-B Artists
Freddie Jackson
Harlem native Freddie Jackson first gained acclaim for his 1985 ballad (and album) 'Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)' He then followed that up with hits such as 'You Are My Lady.' Subsequent singles such as 'Have You Ever Loved Somebody' 'Jam Tonight' and 'I Don't Want To Lose Your Love' all went number one on the R&B charts.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
D'Angelo
Michael D'Angelo Archer been called a founding father of the neo-soul movement of the mid- to late '90s. This son of a preacher man and Virginia native had his first mainstream success in 1995 with the single "Brown Sugar." Five years later, in 2000, he won a Grammy for Best Male R&B act and his second album 'Voodoo' won for Best R&B Album of the year.
Frank Micelotta, ImageDirect / Getty Images
Aretha Franklin
The undisputed Queen of Soul was crowned thus starting with her chain, chain, chain of hits in the late '60s including "Respect," "I Never Loved a Man," "Chain of Fools," "Baby I Love You," "I Say a Little Prayer" and many more. Though she's never quite achieved the same commercial success as in the beginning of her career, she still wears the crown in her golden years.
David Atlas, Retna
Patrice Rushen
Being a jazz artist wasn't the only thing on Patrice Rushen's mind. Having Quincy Jones by her side as a mentor made fans 'Watch Out' for her R&B hits 'You Remind Me,' 'Forget Me Nots,' 'Haven't You Heard,' and 'Feels So Real.' An accomplished musician, producer and arranger led Rushen to be musical director of the three consecutive Grammy Awards from 2004 to 2006.
Bobby Holland, Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
Boyz II Men
You'll never forget the words as long as you live. "End of the Road" was the slow-jam of the decade and it closed every high school dance across America, long after Boys II Men's star had faded. The 1992 number-one hit was written by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and was the most successful single ever released on Motown Records, according to Wikipedia.
Dan Groshong, AFP / Getty Images
Brian McKnight
At just the age of 19, Brian McKnight secured a record deal with Mercury Records. McKnight is a singer, songwriter, arranger and producer who plays nine instruments. His smoldering ballads "One Last Cry" "After the Love" and "Anytime" ensure his esteemed place in the cannon of black music.
Warner Records
Cameo
Originally consisting of 13 members, Cameo's Larry Blackmon, Tomi Jenkins, and Nathan Leftenant brought the world a brand new sound inspired by heavy drum machines and edgy synthezier arrangements. The group made sure all of their 'Cutie Pies' maintained a 'Single Life' with hits like 'She's Strange' and 'Candy.' Their fashion sense (ahem, cod piece) is also something that renders them unforgettable.
Andy Butterton, AP
Crystal Waters
Dance music, singer and songwriter Crystal Waters became an international superstar with '100% Pure Love,' 'SayIf You Feel Alright,' and her hit song 'Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless).' The latter gypsied its way back onto charts in 2006 when rapper T.I. sampled it for his single 'Why You Wanna.'
Michel Linssen, Redferns / Retna
Alexander O'Neal
Topping the charts with a string of duets including 'Saturday Love,' and 'Everything I Miss At Home,' Alexander O'Neil and Cherelle helped define the mid to late 80s with their funky dance grooves. O'Neil probably didn't expect so much 'Sunshine' in London where he holds the record for being the only R&B artist to sell out concerts at the Wembley Arena.
Getty Images
Curtis Mayfield (1942-1999)
Not only was Curtis Mayfield everyone's favorite 'Pusher Man,' he was also the father of "message music" during the 1970s. This multi-instrumentalist did the soundtrack for the classic blaxploitation film 'Superfly' which lead this writer, producer and arranger to do the soundtracks for black classics such as 'Claudine' and 'Sparkle.' Mayfield is also the founder of Curtom Records.
Harry Goodwin, Redferns / Retna
Jackson credits picking the right songs from the beginning and singing in the right key as reasons why he and some of his peers can still tackle his early hits. He reminds new artists that "these are songs you have to live with for the rest of your life."
Jackson, a fan of Beyonce, Chrisette Michelle, Jill Scott and John Legend, clearly has been keeping up with the Chris Brown/Rihanna fiasco.
"I think it's unfortunate that people confuse success with not being knowledgeable," he said. "There was a thing called artist development at record companies, where artists were taught how to act accordingly and stars are taught how to be respectful before applause."
"Love is not dysfunctional," he continued. "It's about functioning together. You have a lot of kids who call themselves falling in love, and because it's the first time, they think it's gonna be the last love of their life and it's a lie. They confuse that with possessiveness and haven't been taught the power of keeping themselves together. They get caught up in showbiz."
"Know your show, but know your business," he added. "Most are too busy showin' out and don't know their business."
About six years ago, Jackson shed 107 pounds through a low-carbohydrate diet and lots of exercise to include walking and swimming. At this point, he says he stays fit by watching when and what he eats.
But one thing is for sure, let him tell it, "Sunday belongs to me, and I eat my soul food at the end of the week and then I leave that stuff alone."
Now, he's feeling great, sounding great and looking forward to sharing his new show with all of the Big Apple
Freddie Jackson's six-show run at Feinstein's will end on May 30.
Comments: (7)
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By: PJD120 on 5/17/2009 6:51PM
Freddie, you look good man. It has been a long time since I have heard one of your records, but I never forgot about you. You just keep up the good work. I have always been a big fan.
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By: nate on 5/19/2009 11:03AM
nobody is hating on the new school, although they all sound like each other...old school crooners have originality..they don't sell out to imitate the competition per the record labels request and we know the lyrical content will be relevant..young guns are cool but they're controlled by the labels...when it's a matter of money over substance..they take the dough every time...so we end up with a bunch of bulls*** out here...keep rocking em Freddie and you can't put an age on quality...
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By: Michelle on 5/19/2009 2:41PM
Let me say let me say I love me some Freddie when I found out he had a new almbum I think in 2004 I screamed Every body I saw I told them and I also heard other people talking about it to when I got the cd it was all good hits like always one thing about his albums or cds the whole thing is good. I also wanted to add my 17 year old is a Freddie baby of of the song Tasty Love Keep on singing dont ever stop much love a true fan !
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By: Ken Joslin on 6/04/2009 8:16PM
Good to see Freddie back!!!
http://www.kenjoslinart.com
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By: L. Hill on 5/19/2009 11:30PM
Who cares what other people think, we all have our own opinions and as far as I'm concern, good music speaks in code. If you really understand what is meant then you are on the right track. My favorite song will always be nice and slow.
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By: andi on 6/19/2009 2:54AM
I enjoyed Freddies Music in the the 80s and in the 90s. I even saw him in concert with Envogue. But things changed when I found out he made those songs for other Dudes and he was in relationship with other Dudes. I listened to the songs thinking they were from men to women and got a surprise. The music still sounds good but he let me down. I don't do the "Gay" thing or the Atlanta Low Down Brothers or what-ever they call themselves in the ATl thing. Now I don't care about him at all. I wish he would have stayed in the closet. It's funny, I remember his suits with the padded shoulder pads and he could really dress. I love the music from the 80s and 90s. People and groups were blowing up. He never made Luther status but his songs were nice. I liked Kashif and Renee and Angela,Loose Ends and what was going on at that time. Tasty Love was smokin back then. Jackson does deserve credit for his hit songs and his singing ability. He came a long way from computer programmer to making hit songs.
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By: TINKER BELL on 8/27/2009 10:03AM
YES I WAS A BIG FAN OF FREDDIE JACKSON AND RECENTLY HAD A CHANCE TO MEET HIM IN PERSON BUT HE MADE A COMMENT ON MY OUTFIT. DONT HATE FREDDIE I GOT MORE OF WHAT YOU WISH FOR.
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