Legendary R&B singer Chuck Jackson who had several notable chart hits throughout the 1950s and 1960s has died at the age of 85.
The US music star who took Any Day Now to the Top 25 in 1962 and had some two dozen singles in the Hot 100, passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, on February 16,
Ady Croasdell of Kent Records – a UK-based label that has been reissuing Jackson’s records through Ace Records – confirmed the singer’s death in a Facebook statement, but did not cite an official cause of death.
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He said: “His 60s and 70s recordings are hugely important works, revered as much now as on release… His passing will be deeply felt around the world.”
Singer Dionne Warwick, who recorded for the same label as Jackson during the 1960s, paid tribute, saying: “Another heartache has come my way. Chuck Jackson has made his transition.
(Image: Getty Images North America)
“He was my label mate on Scepter Records and was like a big brother to me. I’ll truly miss his daily calls checking on me and his wonderful voice. Rest in heavenly peace my dear friend.”
Born on July 22, 1937, and raised in Pittsburgh, Jackson left college in 1957 to sing with a gospel group.
Later that year, he joined the Del-Vikings, who had enjoyed a pair of Top 10 hits with Come Go with Me and Whispering Bell, and he stayed with the group until 1959 before leaving for a solo career.
He signed with Clock Records in 1959, recording as Charles Jackson, then linked up with Florence Greenberg’s Scepter subsidiary Wand Records.
Jackson’s first solo chart record was I Don’t Want to Cry, which was arranged by teenage star Carole King, but his breakout hit was Any Day Now, co-written by Burt Bacharach, who died this month.
(Image: Getty Images)
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The song peaked at number 23, which would be Jackson’s highest-charting pop hit, although Any Day Now would go on to be covered by the likes of Elvis Presley and Ronnie Milsap, and its success earned him a contract with Motown Records.
Jackson’s I Keep Forgettin’ was covered by Michael McDonald as well as David Bowie, and the R&B singer recorded more than 20 albums throughout his career.
One of his final LP’s, 1997’s I’ll Never Get Over You featured If I Let Myself Go, a collaboration with Warwick.
One of his songs, Beg Me, featured backing vocals by Cissy Houston, Warwick’s aunt and later the mother of Whitney Houston.
Jackson, who was married twice and had two children, received the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1992.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
