Though the news is yet to be confirmed, several US media sites are reporting the death of veteran soul man CHUCK JACKSON. No details are forthcoming save that Jackson passed away on Thursday 16th February, aged 85.
Through little known in the mainstream, the North Carolina-born, Jackson enjoys legendary status with soul connoisseurs, particularly those partial to an uptown ballad – a genre of which Chuck was an undoubted master.
The young Jackson began his career in gospel before joining the doo-wop group the Del-Vikings. After going solo, he was signed by Luther Dixon to Scepter/Wand and scored a hit with his first single, ‘I Don’t Wanna Cry’. The following year, 1962, he enjoyed his biggest success with his version of Burt Bacharach and Bob Hilliard’s ‘Any Day Now’. The song was a huge R&B and pop hit and became his signature tune. At the label, he recorded countless other classic uptown soul sides which came to epitomise the sound of 60s New York soul. Serious collectors revere his work – especially his soulful duets with label mate, Maxine Brown. Amongst his soul classics from this era are ‘All Over The World’ and ’These Chains Of Love’.
Despite a slew of excellent recordings for Scepter/Wand, the singer felt his career was stalling and so in 1968 he bought himself out his contract so he could sign with Motown. Sadly, he enjoyed less success as part of the Gordy stable. The issue, of course, was that at Motown he was one of many artists seeking that special song and major promotion. His best known Motown outing is a version of ‘Honey Come Back’. It’s famously noted that in 70s interview Jackson said that signing to Motown was a huge mistake.
After Motown , Jackson recorded for various labels like All Platinum, Dakar, ABC and EMI America. In 1998 he recorded ‘If I Let Myself Go’ with old label mate Dionne Warwick.
In 2015 Chuck Jackson was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall Of Fame.
