American R&B singer and Grammy-nominated music icon Freddie Jackson, best known for timeless hits including You Are My Lady and Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake), has died at the age of 69.
Jackson died on Monday, October 5, 2026, just three days after celebrating his 69th birthday. His family announced his passing through his official social media account on Tuesday, describing him as a “legendary voice” and a kind and generous person who deeply loved his family, friends, fans and music.
Born and raised in Harlem, New York, Jackson developed his musical talents through gospel music at White Rock Baptist Church before performing on the New York club circuit and later joining the band Mystic Merlin. He launched his solo career with his 1985 debut album, Rock Me Tonight, which became a major commercial success and earned him two Grammy nominations.
Jackson went on to become one of the defining voices of 1980s R&B, recording numerous chart-topping songs including You Are My Lady, Tasty Love, Have You Ever Loved Somebody, Jam Tonight and Do Me Again. His debut and follow-up albums both achieved platinum status, cementing his place among the era’s leading romantic R&B singers.
In 2024, Jackson publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with kidney disease and subsequently worked with the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness about the condition. However, his family has not stated that kidney disease was the cause of his death.
Jackson’s family has asked fans to keep his loved ones in their prayers and said details about funeral arrangements and ways to honour his legacy would be announced later. His music, particularly the romantic ballads that became staples of R&B radio, continues to resonate with generations of listeners.
