American R&B singer Freddie Jackson, whose soulful ballads made him one of the defining voices of 1980s music, has died at the age of 70.
Jackson died on Monday, October 5, 2026, just three days after celebrating his 70th birthday. His family announced his death through his official Instagram account on Tuesday. A cause of death was not disclosed.
In a statement, his family described the singer as more than a legendary performer, remembering him as a “kind, generous soul” who deeply loved his fans, family, friends and music.
“For decades he gave us the songs that became the soundtrack to our love stories, our celebrations, and our most treasured memories,” the family said.
Born and raised in Harlem, New York, Jackson developed his musical talents through gospel music before performing in the club scene and joining the band Mystic Merlin.
His breakthrough came in 1985 with his debut album, Rock Me Tonight, which achieved platinum status. The title track became a major R&B hit, while “You Are My Lady” became one of his signature songs and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
Jackson went on to record several successful albums and scored numerous R&B chart-toppers, including “Tasty Love,” “Have You Ever Loved Somebody” and “Jam Tonight.”
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 linked his death to the illness.
Details of his funeral and memorial arrangements are expected to be announced by his family.
