Freddie Jackson, R&B Icon Known for ‘You Are My Lady,’ Dead at 69

Freddie Jackson, a renowned R&B icon known for his soulful tenor and hit songs such as "You Are My Lady," has passed away at the age of 69, as announced by his family on October 6, 2026. No cause of death was disclosed in the statement. Born in Harlem, New York, on October 2, 1957, Freddie began his musical journey in church choirs and later collaborated with his record producer and songwriting partner Paul Laurence during his time in LJE (Laurence Jones Ensemble).

Hailing from New York, he moved to California in the late '70s to join the funk band Mystic Merlin before returning to New York where he teamed up with Laurence at Hush Productions. It was in 1985 when Jackson hit the top of R&B charts with the hit single "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)," which peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Over the next decade, he produced a string of 10 No. 1 R&B hits, alongside several top 10 singles. His collaborations with other artists such as Melba Moore, Evelyn "Champagne" King, and Angela Bofill, are also notable. As a solo artist, he achieved significant success with Capitol Records between 1985 and 1992, topping the R&B charts on four occasions with his albums: Rock Me Tonight, Just Like the First Time, Don't Let Love Slip Away, and Do Me Again.

His body of work amassed 35 entries on Billboard's R&B songs chart, with 19 of those entries reaching the top 10 and 10 reigning as the No. 1 hit. Other chart-toppers include his feature on Melba Moore's "A Little Bit More," "Tasty Love," "Have You Ever Loved Somebody," and "Jam Tonight." After a successful career, details on arranging tributes and honoring his legacy will be revealed soon by the family.