Freddie Jackson, the powerhouse vocalist behind classics including “You Are My Lady” and “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake),” has died at the age of 70.
Jackson’s family announced his passing Tuesday in a statement shared through the singer’s official Instagram account. The family said Jackson “went home to rest” Monday night, October 5. A cause of death has not been disclosed.
“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Freddie Jackson,” the family wrote.
They remembered Jackson not only for the voice that made him an R&B mainstay, but also for the person he was away from the stage, describing him as a kind and generous man who deeply loved his family, friends, fans 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 in its announcement. “That gift will live on forever.”
Jackson’s passing comes after the singer publicly revealed in 2024 that he had been diagnosed with kidney disease.
He used the diagnosis to encourage others to pay closer attention to their health and partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to help raise awareness about kidney disease.
Kidney disease occurs when the kidneys become damaged and gradually lose their ability to properly filter the blood and perform other essential functions. According to the National Kidney Foundation, an estimated 35.5 million adults in the United States have kidney disease, and the condition can progress for some time without noticeable symptoms.
The illness had also caused Jackson to reevaluate his priorities and place greater emphasis on taking care of himself.
It is important to note that Jackson’s family has not identified kidney disease—or any other condition—as the cause of his death. As of Tuesday, no official cause of death had been announced.
A Voice That Helped Define an Era of R&B
For generations of R&B listeners, Jackson’s voice was synonymous with the slow jam.
The Harlem, New York native emerged as one of R&B’s premier male vocalists during the 1980s, finding major success with his 1985 debut album, Rock Me Tonight.
Its title track, “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake),” became one of Jackson’s signature records, while “You Are My Lady” further established him as one of the era’s standout romantic balladeers.
His catalog would grow to include fan favorites such as “Have You Ever Loved Somebody,” “Jam Tonight,” “Tasty Love” and “Nice ‘N’ Slow.”
Jackson’s music became a fixture of R&B radio and a soundtrack for everything from first dates and weddings to family gatherings and late-night slow jams.
It is that connection his family highlighted while announcing his passing.
“To everyone who ever sang along, danced, or felt something when Freddie took the stage: thank you,” the family wrote. “You were family to him, and he carried your love with him always.”
Jackson’s family is asking fans to keep his loved ones in their prayers and says additional information regarding arrangements and ways to honor his legacy will be announced in the coming days.
Freddie Jackson was 70 years old.
