Legendary R&B singer Freddie Jackson has passed away just days after his 69th birthday, with his cause of death yet to be revealed by his family.
Freddie's family shared the sad news in an Instagram statement on October 6, featuring a black-and-white photo of the singer in his prime.
© WireImage"It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Freddie Jackson, who went home to rest last night," the statement began.
"Freddie was more than a legendary voice. 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."
© Getty ImagesHis family continued: "To everyone who ever sang along, danced, or felt something when Freddie took the stage: thank you. You were family to him, and he carried your love with him always."
"Rest in peace, Freddie. Your legacy and your voice will live on forever," they concluded. Freddie was best known for hits like "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)" and "You Are My Lady", and he earned two Grammy nominations during his career.
Music and memories
He was born and raised in Harlem, New York, and grew up singing gospel before establishing his music career in the city.
Freddie moved briefly to the West Coast in the late '70s to front the funk band Mystic Merlin, yet returned to NYC in the early '80s and worked with Melba Moore before stepping out on his own in 1985 and releasing his debut album Rock Me Tonight.
© Ron Galella Collection via GettyMelba mourned the death of her old collaborator in a statement that read: "My heart is broken over the loss of a great singer and even a greater friend, Freddie Jackson."
"When we worked together on songs such as our hit, 'A Little Bit More', his sense of humor had me laughing during the sessions. We had such a special relationship. I will forever miss my dear friend. Rest peacefully, Freddie."
© Getty ImagesThroughout his career, Freddie garnered 10 number-one hits and released 14 acclaimed studio albums. His most recent release was the album My First Love in 2023. The star, who never married or had children, was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2024 and shared insight into his health battle with his fans.
"After a lot of thought and reflection, I've come to a point where I feel I'm ready to talk about a recent chapter in my life. I have been diagnosed with kidney disease. This journey has had its challenges, but I've decided to face it with openness and resilience," he said in a social media clip.
