Harlem native and R&B superstar Freddie Jackson has died. His family announced his passing Tuesday on social media. He was 70.
Jackson died Oct. 5, three days after his 70th birthday. He was best known for his hits “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake),” “Have You Ever Loved Somebody,” “Jam Tonight,” “Do Me Again” and “You Are My Lady.”
Jackson got his start singing gospel music as a child at White Rock Baptist Church in Harlem. He released his debut album, Rock Me Tonight, in 1985. The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart and No. 10 on the Billboard 200.
That same year, Jackson was nominated for Grammy Awards for Best New Artist and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male. In 1988, he won an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Single for “Nice ’N’ Slow.”
In 2024, Jackson revealed that he had been diagnosed with kidney disease. He later partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness about the disease.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
