Randy Jackson

Infobox Musical artist

Img_size = 150 |
Name = Randy Jackson
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Randall Darius Jackson
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1956|6|23
Origin =

Randall Darius "Randy" Jackson (born June 23, 1956 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) is best known as a judge on "American Idol"; he is also a Grammy Award-winning bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, and former A&R executive.

Personal life

Randy Jackson has been married twice. His first marriage, to Elizabeth Jackson, ended in divorce in 1990; they had one child (Taylor) together. Since 1995, he has been married to Erika Riker, with whom he has two children Zoe (age 13) and his son Jordan (age 11).

Obesity and health

In 2003, Jackson lost over 100 pounds following gastric bypass surgery. He stated in a February 2008 television commercial that he has Type 2 diabetes. [ [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/02/02/earlyshow/leisure/main597581.shtml Idol Judge: Nearly Half The Man, Randy Jackson Goes On The Lighter Side For A New Look - CBS News] ]

Music career

While in the Bay Area, Jackson played in bands with Carlos Santana and Jerry Garcia. From 1986 to 1987 he was a member of the rock group Journey. Jackson joined Journey for their 1986 album "Raised on Radio" and subsequent tour. He moved to Italy in the late 1980s and played on a record by Italian pop star Zucchero. The record, "Zucchero and the Randy Jackson Band", was produced by Corrado Rustici who played guitar with Randy on many albums in the early 80's and who became Zucchero's producer for 15 years creating Zucchero's biggest albums of his career. [Zucchero would later work with another former member of Journey, Steve Smith.]

Jackson was bass guitarist for Tracy Chapman and is featured on several tracks of her 1992 release, "Matters of the Heart". He performed on the singles "Bang Bang Bang", "Open Arms", and "Dreaming on a World". That same year, Jackson also played bass on Bruce Springsteen's hit "Human Touch".

Jackson has recorded, produced, or toured with many well-known artists and bands, ranging from Mariah Carey (he has been her musical director for a number of her tours; he was in her band at Live 8 in London in 2005) to *NSYNC, Whitney Houston, (produced) Dionne Farris' (critically acclaimed debut CD, Wild-Seed Wild-Flower), Céline Dion, Fergie (dating back to her days in Wild Orchid), Strypercite book |last=Erickson, Sturdevant |title=Stryper: Loud n' Clear |year=2006 |publisher=Classic CD Books |location=Maryland |edition=unabridged audio |isbn=0976480549 ] , and Madonna (he played bass on her number-one hit "Like a Prayer").

Jackson played numerous times in Jean-Luc Ponty's backing band. His credits as a session musician range from playing with Aretha Franklin, Roger Waters, Bruce Springsteen, Journey, George Michael, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Billy Cobham, Blue Öyster Cult, Herbie Hancock, Richard Marx, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Michael Bolton, and Bob Dylan to playing at the Grand Ole Opry with The Charlie Daniels Band. His production/songwriting work in the San Francisco Bay Area with Narada Michael Walden and Walter Afanasieff led Jackson to be in demand as a producer as well.

He has also worked as an executive, spending eight years as vice president of artists and repertoire (A&R) at Columbia Records and four years heading A&R at MCA Records [http://www.dailyvidette.org/media/paper420/news/2005/02/03/EZone/american.Idol.Judge.Randy.Jackson.Strives.For.Stardom-851165.shtml 'American Idol' judge Randy Jackson strives for stardom] , "The Daily Vidette" from AP, February 3, 2005] .

Since 2002, Jackson has been one of the three panel judges, along with Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell, on the Fox Network reality television series "American Idol".

Radio program

Jackson also hosts a radio top 40 countdown known as [http://www.rjhitlistonline.com "Randy Jackson's Hit List"] , which is syndicated by Westwood One [ [http://affiliates.westwoodone.com/music/rjhitlist.asp?loc=hotac Randy Jackson's Hit List] ] . Every week Jackson counts down his top 30 Urban AC and Mainstream AC hits, and gives behind-the-scenes information on "American Idol" with American Idol Underground.

On March 11, 2008, Jackson released an album produced entirely by himself, titled "Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol. 1". The album's release was preceded by the single "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" sung by Paula Abdul.

"America's Best Dance Crew"

"America's Best Dance Crew" is a group dance contest produced by Jackson, premiering on February 7, 2008. Season 1 ended on March 27, 2008; season 2 started on June 7, 2008, and ended on August 19, 2008. On the finale of season 2, it was claimed that season 3 would begin in October.

Discography

Albums

ingles

External links

* [http://www.randyjacksonsmusicclub.com Randy Jackson's Music Club Vol. 1]
* [http://www.rjhitlistonline.com Randy Jackson's Hit List from Westwood One]
*imdb name|id=1193098|name=Randy Jackson

References