TASTY CLIPS: In loving memory of R&B singer Freddie Jackson

By Bill Vaughan

Entertainment Writer

“I’ve got a body of work and I’m blessed to be able to say it,” FREDDIE JACKSON, the singer of 11 number one records including “Have You Ever Loved Somebody,” “Jam Tonight,” “You Are My Lady,” and “Do Me Again,” told Tasty Clips in 2018. “They had me locked, tied and bound in the studio pushing songs out constantly, but I’m grateful. I was bestowed into the Smithsonian African American Museum. I try to live up to that.”

The smooth vocalist who died Oct. 5, just three days after his 70th birthday, was one of the first in the 1980s to expound on cultural appropriation and how true R&B artists were beginning to be ignored for those who studied the genre.

“I don’t think that’s very fair at all,” he said. “How do we attack this so that we’re not left out? We all need a meeting at the conference table regarding this before we are all sitting somewhere twiddling our thumbs watching ‘Unsung.’

“They’re labeled the new soul guys. Well, what about my soul? Just like everybody else, Freddie Jackson’s soul needs to be fed, too. You want to know why I’m losing weight? I’m hungry.”

Fans were alarmed at how svelte the former plus-sized crooner had looked in recent appearances with social media rumors running rampart that he was deathly ill.

He chalked it up to growing older and losing his mother, sister and close friends while going through the struggle of life.

The Harlem native said, “I’m not Freddie Jackson singing ‘Rock Me Tonight’ straight out of church and a job eating McDonald’s hamburgers at 29 years old. Eating organically has changed me and I’m OK with it. What is so strange is that most of the people who have so much to say about me losing weight are sitting and busting out of their pants.”

He had famous duet partners like show biz mentor Melba Moore. In fact, yours truly actually has a part in the 1988 video of their beautiful composition “I Can’t Complain.”

Jackson was a champion for the return of simple love songs.

“The world right now needs to be embraced,” he said. “Music is a powerful thing. If you can embrace the heart with a melody, it will last forever. Kids need to have something to hold on to today as opposed to just a cell phone.”

“That’s why I will truly never ever stop singing a ballad, because somewhere in the midst of it all somebody will hear it and know that love conquers all,” he added. “It truly does and it still can. I still have love for this thing that I do and it’s called a song … and I will never let anyone take that away from me.”

YOUR TURN: BET announced that for the first time, fans will be able to vote in two new 2026 Soul Train Awards categories: R&B/Soul Song of the Year, with voting on BET.com and Spotify’s RNB X International Artist, with voting in the Spotify app now through Oct. 16. Fans can also vote for the 20 greatest R&B songs of the 2020s.

REFLECTING: “Showbiz has been very, very good to me. In a world where we have trillionaires — I don’t have that much money — but my dad got sick when I was poor, and my mother got sick when I had some money. Dad’s dead. My mom’s doing great. You know what I mean? It’s literally that simple. So, I’m good. I’m really good.” — CHRIS ROCK, writer and director of “Misty Green” opening in theaters this weekend, to Variety

CLIPPETTES: Eddie Murphy is about to star in his first live-action scripted television show for Peacock from “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner to be called “The Chairman” …

The legacy of Oscar Micheaux, Paul Robeson, and the evolution of Black filmmaking will be discussed by directors Carl Seaton and Alile Sharon Larkin after a screening of the 1925 film “Body and Soul” on Oct. 9 at West Hollywood’s Fiesta Hall …

Also that date, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 perform at the Regent Theater; Arin Ray is with Baby J at Echoplex; Schoolboy Q is at The Palladium (also Oct. 12th at the Novo); and Shabaka plays the Blue Note for the first of three nights …

Avery*Sunshine, Jon B, The Original Lakeside, Poncho Sanchez, Jarrod Lawson, and Biscuits and Gravy are set for Jazz at Drew Oct. 10 from noon to 8:30 p.m. at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science …

That afternoon, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures acknowledges the 30th anniversary of Spike Lee’s “Get on the Bus” with a screening followed by live remarks from participants Reuben Cannon, Gabriel Casseus, Bill Borden, Reggie Rock Bythewood, Hill Harper, Kim Taylor Coleman and Olden Lee …

In the evening, the It’s Iconic Tour featuring TLC & Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue comes to the Intuit Dome; Cory Henry is at the Sun Rose; Xzibit is at the Garden Amp; and Jack Johnson begins a two-night stand at the Hollywood Bowl …

Catalina Bar and Grill hosts Generations of Song — An Evening with Shanice & Family (Imani Knox & Crystal Penny) on Oct. 11; while Ron Funches is at the Hollywood Improv and Willow performs at Pacific Electric (also Oct. 12 at Blue Note) …

On Oct. 14, Big Daddy Kane kicks off two nights at Blue Note; jazz fusion group Yellowjackets are at Vibrato Grill; the Grammy Museum presents Lucky Daye; and Souls of Mischief are at the Venice West …

Cynthia Erivo returns to the Hollywood Bowl on Oct. 15 for a one-night only special performance of her new show, “Let Me Sing to You” as reggae group Iration headlines the Palladium; Isaiah Rashad is at the Grammy Museum; and Gracinha Leporace leads the Sergio Mendes Band in a celebration of his life and 60 years of Brasil ’66 at Vibrato Grill.

WHERE YOU BEEN? “I think if you were a Lester Holt watcher, you would still understand, ‘Hey, that’s the guy who used to do news every night. Although I get people now saying, ‘How’s the retirement going?’ And I’m like, ‘I’m not retired. [I’m at] ‘Dateline.’” – LESTER HOLT to People on his new podcast “Before & After” which the former NBC anchor says allows him to “exercise new news muscles”

TC ON TV: Oct. 9 – “Animals” (Netflix): Ben Affleck, Kerry Washington, Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun and Ray Fisher star in this political thriller about an L.A. mayor in a crisis. “Matchbox The Movie” (AppleTV+): An action film inspired by the toys with John Cena, Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris and Danai Gurira. “Today” (NBC): Trevor Noah, Chef Eddie Jackson “First Take” (ESPN): The Stephen A. Smith-led sports debate show continues its HBCU tour from Virginia State University. “OWN Spotlight (OWN): In “Mothers & Daughters: Torn Apart with Iyanla Vanzant,” the Emmy Award-winning spiritual teacher, bestselling author, and life coach welcomes a live studio audience of women to witness healing in real time as she works with three generations determined to confront painful truths and break destructive cycles.

Oct. 10 – “Got It from My Momma” (UPtv): “Meet NFL Star Patrick Mahomes‘ Momma”

Oct. 12 – “Voces” (PBS): “Paquito D’Rivera — From Carne y Frijol to Carnegie Hall” follows the jazz legend’s journey from child prodigy in Havana, Cuba to multiple Grammy winning performer and composer. Featuring performances and collaborations with iconic trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, pianist Chucho Valdes and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

Oct. 13 – “Following Harry” (Amazon/Apple TV/Fandango/VOD): Director Susanne Rostock’s intimate documentary chronicling the last 12 years of the legendary Harry Belafonte’s life of activism. Featuring Aja Monet, Angela Davis, Aloe Blacc, Carmen Perez, Chuck D, Gina Belafonte, Jamie Foxx, Jesse Williams, Rosario Dawson, Talib Kweli and many more. “Michael Che: Shot in Minnesota” (Netflix): A new special from the “SNL Weekend Update” anchor. “Tyson” (Netflix): A four-part docu-series exploring the explosive life of boxer/actor/entrepreneur Mike Tyson. “The View” (ABC): Ms. Pat “The Drop: A Snowfall Saga” (FX/Hulu): L.A. fans can join their tribe at a watch party being held at The Miracle Inglewood.

Oct. 14 – “Love of Your Life” (Prime Video): Aaron Pierre, Gabriel Basso and Patrick Schwarzenegger are of interest to nurse Maya, played by Margaret Qualley in this “heartbreaking” new movie. “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” (ABC): Billy Porter & Leslie Odom Jr.

Oct. 15 – “9-1-1” (ABC): The 10th season opens with Athena (Angela Bassett) still finding her footing as a detective as an earth-shattering emergency shakes L.A. to its core. “Elsbeth” (CBS): Returns with a special appearance by New York Knicks star OG Anunoby. “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC): Shonda Rhimes’ medical drama is back for an astounding 23rd season.

END QUOTE: “If everybody does something, then everything will get done.” – GIL SCOTT-HERON

For more than 12 years, Bill Vaughan has kept Wave readers up to date with the latest news in entertainment. To contact Vaughan, visit his social media pages on Facebook and Instagram or @tasty_clips, on X @tastyclips, and on LinkedIn to William Vaughan.