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Freddie Jackson, the rhythm-and-blues (R&B) balladeer whose hits "Rock Me Tonight," "You Are My Lady," and "Have You Ever Loved Somebody" dominated radio in the 1980s, has died. He was 69.
Jackson died Monday, according to a post on his social media accounts. No cause of death was given.
"Freddie was more than a legendary voice," his family said in a statement.
"He was a kind, generous soul who loved his fans, his family, his friends and his music with everything he had. For decades he gave us the songs that became the soundtrack to our love stories, our celebrations and our most treasured memories. That gift will live on forever."
Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Jackson was praised for the emotional depth of his ballads. The New York Times called him "one of black pop's most elegant performers" in 1989, and Rolling Stone, comparing him with Luther Vandross in 1987, described him as a "pillow-talking love man."
Born Oct. 2, 1957, in Harlem, Jackson began as a gospel singer and briefly fronted the group Mystic Merlin on the West Coast before returning to New York.
Singer Melba Moore discovered him in a New York nightclub in 1982, hired him as a backup singer and composer and helped him get a deal with Capitol Records. The two later recorded the No. 1 R&B hit "A Little Bit More."
Moore said her heart was broken over the loss of "a great singer and even a greater friend," recalling how his humor kept her laughing during their recording sessions.
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